Bill Text: FL H0487 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Gaming
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2012-03-09 - Died in Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee [H0487 Detail]
Download: Florida-2012-H0487-Introduced.html
HB 487 |
1 | |
2 | An act relating to gaming; amending s. 20.165, F.S.; |
3 | deleting the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering within |
4 | the Department of Business and Professional |
5 | Regulation; creating s. 20.318, F.S.; establishing the |
6 | Department of Gaming Control; designating the State |
7 | Gaming Commission as head of the department; defining |
8 | terms; specifying powers and duties of the department; |
9 | authorizing the department to take testimony; |
10 | authorizing the department to exclude persons from |
11 | certain gaming establishments; authorizing the |
12 | department to collect taxes and require compliance |
13 | with reporting requirements for financial information; |
14 | authorizing the department to conduct investigations |
15 | and impose certain fines; authorizing the department |
16 | to adopt rules; authorizing the department to contract |
17 | with the Department of Law Enforcement for certain |
18 | purposes; directing the department to contract with |
19 | the Department of Revenue for tax collection and |
20 | financial audit services; authorizing the Department |
21 | of Revenue to assist in financial investigations of |
22 | licensees and applicants for licenses; requiring the |
23 | department to assist the Department of Revenue for the |
24 | benefit of financially dependent children; authorizing |
25 | the department to terminate certain deficient license |
26 | applications and approve licenses; amending s. 120.80, |
27 | F.S.; deleting certain exceptions and special |
28 | requirements regarding hearings applicable to the |
29 | Department of Business and Professional Regulation; |
30 | creating certain exceptions and special requirements |
31 | regarding hearings within the Department of Gaming |
32 | Control; exempting the Destination Resort Selection |
33 | Committee from specified provisions of the |
34 | Administrative Procedure Act; designating ss. 551.101- |
35 | 551.123, F.S., as pt. II of ch. 551, F.S., entitled |
36 | "Slot Machines"; creating ss. 551.002-551.012, F.S., |
37 | as pt. I of ch. 551, F.S., entitled "State Gaming |
38 | Commission"; creating s. 551.002, F.S.; providing |
39 | definitions; creating s. 551.003, F.S.; creating the |
40 | State Gaming Commission; providing for membership, |
41 | terms, service, and compensation; providing for a |
42 | chair and vice chair; providing that the chair is the |
43 | administrative head of the commission; providing for a |
44 | quorum, headquarters, and meetings; providing that the |
45 | commission serves as the agency head for the |
46 | department for purposes of the Administrative |
47 | Procedure Act; providing that the executive director |
48 | of the commission may serve as the agency head for the |
49 | department for certain related purposes; creating s. |
50 | 551.004, F.S.; creating the State Gaming Commission |
51 | Nominating Committee; providing for membership, |
52 | organization, and responsibilities of the committee; |
53 | providing procedures for nomination and appointment of |
54 | members of the commission; creating s. 551.006, F.S.; |
55 | providing for an executive director of the department; |
56 | creating s. 551.007, F.S.; providing for the |
57 | department to employ law enforcement officers or, by |
58 | interagency agreement, the Department of Law |
59 | Enforcement to enforce laws within its jurisdiction; |
60 | creating s. 551.008, F.S.; providing for a code of |
61 | ethics for the commission and its employees, including |
62 | restrictions following membership or employment; |
63 | defining the terms "business entity" and "outside |
64 | employment"; creating s. 551.009, F.S.; providing for |
65 | disclosure of certain information by commission |
66 | members, employees, and agents; prohibiting certain |
67 | negotiations for employment by commission members, |
68 | employees, and agents; prohibiting certain gifts; |
69 | requiring reporting of bribe offers; creating s. |
70 | 551.011, F.S.; providing procedures relating to ex |
71 | parte communications; providing for the Commission on |
72 | Ethics to investigate complaints, report to the |
73 | Governor, and enforce assessed penalties; requiring |
74 | the Commission on Ethics to provide notice to a person |
75 | alleged to have participated in an ex parte |
76 | communication and allow that person to present a |
77 | defense; providing penalties; creating s. 551.012, |
78 | F.S.; providing penalties for violation of specified |
79 | provisions by a commission member, employee, or agent; |
80 | creating ss. 551.301-551.331, F.S., as pt. III of ch. |
81 | 551, F.S., entitled "Destination Resorts"; creating s. |
82 | 551.301, F.S.; providing a short title; creating s. |
83 | 551.302, F.S.; providing definitions; creating s. |
84 | 551.304, F.S.; specifying the powers of the |
85 | commission, including the power to authorize gaming at |
86 | a limited number of destination resorts, conduct |
87 | investigations, issue subpoenas, take enforcement |
88 | actions, and create an invitation to negotiate process |
89 | to evaluate applications for a resort license; |
90 | authorizing the commission to collect taxes, |
91 | assessments, fees, and penalties; specifying the |
92 | jurisdiction and authority of the commission, the |
93 | Department of Law Enforcement, and local law |
94 | enforcement agencies to investigate criminal |
95 | violations and enforce compliance with law; requiring |
96 | the commission to revoke or suspend the license of a |
97 | person who was unqualified at the time of licensure or |
98 | who is no longer qualified to be licensed; creating s. |
99 | 551.305, F.S.; authorizing the commission to adopt |
100 | rules relating to the types of gaming authorized, |
101 | requirements for the issuance, renewal, revocation, |
102 | and suspension of licenses, the disclosure of |
103 | financial interests, procedures to test gaming |
104 | equipment, procedures to verify gaming revenues and |
105 | the collection of taxes, requirements for gaming |
106 | equipment, procedures relating to a facilities-based |
107 | computer system, bond requirements of resort |
108 | licensees, the maintenance of records, procedures to |
109 | calculate the payout percentages of slot machines, |
110 | security standards, the scope and conditions for |
111 | investigations and inspections into the conduct of |
112 | limited gaming, the seizure of gaming equipment and |
113 | records without notice or a warrant, employee drug- |
114 | testing programs, and the payment of costs, fines, and |
115 | application fees; authorizing the commission to adopt |
116 | emergency rules; exempting the rules from specified |
117 | provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act; |
118 | creating s. 551.306, F.S.; preempting the regulation |
119 | of limited gaming at a destination resort to the |
120 | state; creating s. 551.307, F.S.; restricting the |
121 | award of resort licenses by the commission; |
122 | authorizing participation in gaming at a licensed |
123 | resort; creating s. 551.308, F.S.; requiring the |
124 | commission to develop an invitation to negotiate |
125 | process to award a resort license; providing criteria |
126 | and procedures; creating s. 551.309, F.S.; specifying |
127 | the criteria for evaluation of applications and award |
128 | of a destination resort license; specifying events |
129 | that disqualify an applicant from eligibility for a |
130 | resort license; defining the term "conviction"; |
131 | creating s. 551.310, F.S.; providing for applications |
132 | for a destination resort license; specifying the |
133 | information that must be on or included with an |
134 | application for a resort license; providing for |
135 | collection of fingerprints; providing for application |
136 | fees for a resort license to defray the costs of an |
137 | investigation of the applicant; requiring the payment |
138 | of application and licensing fees to be submitted with |
139 | the application for a resort license; creating s. |
140 | 551.311, F.S.; providing that an incomplete |
141 | application is grounds for denial of the application; |
142 | requiring the executive director to notify an |
143 | applicant for a resort license if the application is |
144 | incomplete; authorizing the applicant to have an |
145 | informal conference with the executive director to |
146 | discuss an incomplete application; authorizing the |
147 | executive director to grant an extension to complete |
148 | an application; providing for the stay of the award of |
149 | a resort license during an extension or an appeal to |
150 | the commission of a finding by the executive director |
151 | that an application is incomplete; creating s. |
152 | 551.312, F.S.; exempting an institutional investor |
153 | that is a qualifier for a resort licensee from certain |
154 | application requirements under certain circumstances; |
155 | requiring notice to the commission of any changes that |
156 | may require a person to comply with the full |
157 | application requirements; creating s. 551.313, F.S.; |
158 | exempting lending institutions and underwriters from |
159 | licensing requirements as a qualifier under certain |
160 | circumstances; creating s. 551.314, F.S.; specifying |
161 | conditions for a resort licensee to maintain |
162 | licensure; authorizing the department to adopt rules |
163 | relating to approval of the licensee's computer |
164 | system; creating s. 551.315, F.S.; requiring that the |
165 | licensee post a bond; authorizing the department to |
166 | adopt rules relating to such bonds; creating s. |
167 | 551.316, F.S.; specifying conditions for the conduct |
168 | of limited gaming by a resort licensee; providing |
169 | hours and days of operation and the setting of minimum |
170 | and maximum wagers; requiring the department to renew |
171 | the license of a resort licensee if the licensee |
172 | satisfies specified conditions; creating s. 551.318, |
173 | F.S.; specifying an annual fee for the renewal of a |
174 | resort license; imposing gross receipts tax; providing |
175 | for the deposit of funds; providing for the proceeds |
176 | of the gross receipts tax to fund the operations of |
177 | the department; providing for annual distribution of |
178 | certain unappropriated funds in the department's |
179 | Destination Resort Trust Fund; creating s. 551.319, |
180 | F.S.; providing procedures for the submission and |
181 | processing of fingerprints; providing that the cost of |
182 | processing the fingerprints shall be borne by a |
183 | licensee or applicant; requiring a person to report to |
184 | the department certain pleas and convictions for |
185 | disqualifying offenses; creating s. 551.321, F.S.; |
186 | requiring a person to have a supplier license to |
187 | furnish certain goods and services to a resort |
188 | licensee; providing for application; providing for |
189 | license fees to be set by rule based on certain |
190 | criteria; requiring fingerprinting; specifying persons |
191 | who are ineligible for supplier licensure; specifying |
192 | circumstances under which the department may deny or |
193 | revoke a supplier license; authorizing the department |
194 | to adopt rules relating to the licensing of suppliers; |
195 | requiring a supplier licensee to furnish a list of |
196 | gaming devices and equipment to the department, |
197 | maintain records, file quarterly returns, and affix |
198 | its name to the gaming equipment and supplies that it |
199 | offers; requiring that the supplier licensee annually |
200 | report its inventory to the department; authorizing |
201 | the department to suspend, revoke, or restrict a |
202 | supplier license under certain circumstances; |
203 | providing that the equipment of a supplier licensee |
204 | which is used in unauthorized gaming will be forfeited |
205 | to the county where the equipment is found; providing |
206 | criminal penalties for a person who knowingly makes a |
207 | false statement on an application for a supplier |
208 | license; creating s. 551.322, F.S.; requiring a person |
209 | to have an occupational license to serve as a limited |
210 | gaming employee of a resort licensee; requiring a |
211 | person to apply to the department for an occupational |
212 | license and pay an application fee; specifying |
213 | information that an applicant must include in an |
214 | application for an occupational license, including |
215 | fingerprints; providing eligibility requirements; |
216 | specifying grounds for the department to deny, |
217 | suspend, revoke, or restrict an occupational license; |
218 | authorizing training to be conducted at certain |
219 | facilities; providing criminal penalties for a person |
220 | who knowingly makes a false statement on an |
221 | application for an occupational license; creating s. |
222 | 551.323, F.S.; authorizing the executive director of |
223 | the department to issue a temporary occupational or |
224 | temporary supplier license under certain |
225 | circumstances; creating s. 551.325, F.S.; requiring |
226 | the commission to file quarterly reports with the |
227 | Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker |
228 | of the House of Representatives; creating s. 551.327, |
229 | F.S.; providing procedures for the resolution of |
230 | certain disputes between a resort licensee and a |
231 | patron; requiring a resort licensee to notify the |
232 | department of certain disputes; requiring a resort |
233 | licensee to notify a patron of the right to file a |
234 | complaint with the department regarding certain |
235 | disputes; authorizing the department to investigate |
236 | disputes and to order a resort licensee to make a |
237 | payment to a patron; providing that gaming-related |
238 | disputes may be resolved only by the department and |
239 | are not under the jurisdiction of state courts; |
240 | creating s. 551.328, F.S.; providing for the |
241 | enforcement of credit instruments; authorizing a |
242 | resort licensee to accept an incomplete credit |
243 | instrument and to complete incomplete credit |
244 | instruments under certain circumstances; providing |
245 | that existence of a mental disorder is not a defense |
246 | or a valid counterclaim in an action to enforce a |
247 | credit instrument; authorizing the department to adopt |
248 | rules prescribing the conditions under which a credit |
249 | instrument may be presented to a bank; creating s. |
250 | 551.330, F.S.; requiring a resort licensee to train |
251 | its employees about compulsive gambling; requiring a |
252 | resort licensee to work with a compulsive gambling |
253 | prevention program; requiring the commission to |
254 | contract for services relating to the prevention of |
255 | compulsive gambling; providing for the commission's |
256 | compulsive gambling prevention program to be funded |
257 | from a regulatory fee imposed on resort licensees; |
258 | creating s. 551.331, F.S.; authorizing a person to |
259 | request that the department exclude him or her from |
260 | limited gaming facilities; providing for a form and |
261 | contents of the form; providing that a self-excluded |
262 | person who is found on a gaming floor may be arrested |
263 | and prosecuted for criminal trespass; providing that a |
264 | self-excluded person holds harmless the department and |
265 | licensees from claims for losses and damages under |
266 | certain circumstances; requiring the person to submit |
267 | identification issued by the government; requiring the |
268 | department to photograph the person requesting self- |
269 | exclusion; amending s. 561.20, F.S.; exempting |
270 | destination resorts from certain limitations on the |
271 | number of licenses to sell alcoholic beverages which |
272 | may be issued; providing restrictions on a resort |
273 | issued such license; requiring an annual state license |
274 | tax to be paid by a resort for such license; providing |
275 | for deposit of proceeds from the tax; preempting to |
276 | the state the regulation of alcoholic beverages at |
277 | destination resorts; providing hours and days |
278 | alcoholic beverages may be sold at a resort; directing |
279 | the commission to adopt rules; providing recordkeeping |
280 | requirements; amending s. 849.15, F.S.; authorizing |
281 | slot machine gaming in a resort licensee and the |
282 | transportation of slot machines pursuant to federal |
283 | law; exempting slot machine licensees from |
284 | prohibitions relating to coin-operated devices; |
285 | amending s. 849.231, F.S.; providing that a |
286 | prohibition on gambling devices does not apply to slot |
287 | machine licensees and resort licensees as authorized |
288 | under specified provisions; amending s. 849.25, F.S.; |
289 | providing that a prohibition on gaming does not apply |
290 | to slot machine licensees and resort licensees as |
291 | authorized under specified provisions; creating s. |
292 | 849.48, F.S.; requiring that a person or entity |
293 | seeking to operate a gambling business, to allow |
294 | gambling on the person's or entity's premises, or to |
295 | lease, manufacture, or distribute gambling devices |
296 | apply for licensure from the Department of Gaming |
297 | Control; transferring and reassigning certain |
298 | functions and responsibilities, including records, |
299 | personnel, property, and unexpended balances of |
300 | appropriations and other resources, from the Division |
301 | of Pari-mutuel Wagering of the Department of Business |
302 | and Professional Regulation to the Department of |
303 | Gaming Control; transferring certain trust funds from |
304 | the Department of Business and Professional Regulation |
305 | to the Department of Gaming Control; amending s. |
306 | 551.102, F.S.; revising the definition of the term |
307 | "eligible facility" as used in provisions relating to |
308 | slot machines; conforming provisions to changes made |
309 | by the act; amending ss. 285.710, 550.002, 550.0251, |
310 | 550.09514, 550.135, 550.24055, 550.2415, 550.2625, |
311 | 550.2704, 550.902, 550.907, 551.101, 551.103, 551.104, |
312 | 551.106, 551.107, 551.108, 551.109, 551.111, 551.112, |
313 | 551.117, 551.119, 551.122, 551.123, 565.02, 817.37, |
314 | 849.086, and 849.094, F.S.; correcting cross- |
315 | references and conforming provisions to changes made |
316 | by the act; providing for severability; providing |
317 | effective dates. |
318 | |
319 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
320 | |
321 | Section 1. Subsection (2) of section 20.165, Florida |
322 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
323 | 20.165 Department of Business and Professional |
324 | Regulation.-There is created a Department of Business and |
325 | Professional Regulation. |
326 | (2) The following divisions of the Department of Business |
327 | and Professional Regulation are established: |
328 | (a) Division of Administration. |
329 | (b) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. |
330 | (c) Division of Certified Public Accounting. |
331 | 1. The director of the division shall be appointed by the |
332 | secretary of the department, subject to approval by a majority |
333 | of the Board of Accountancy. |
334 | 2. The offices of the division shall be located in |
335 | Gainesville. |
336 | (d) Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and |
337 | Mobile Homes. |
338 | (e) Division of Hotels and Restaurants. |
339 | |
340 | (f) |
341 | (g) |
342 | 1. The director of the division shall be appointed by the |
343 | secretary of the department, subject to approval by a majority |
344 | of the Florida Real Estate Commission. |
345 | 2. The offices of the division shall be located in |
346 | Orlando. |
347 | (h) |
348 | (i) |
349 | (j) |
350 | Section 2. Section 20.318, Florida Statutes, is created to |
351 | read: |
352 | 20.318 Department of Gaming Control.-There is created a |
353 | Department of Gaming Control. |
354 | (1) GAMING COMMISSION.-The State Gaming Commission is the |
355 | head of the Department of Gaming Control. The commission shall |
356 | be responsible for appointing and removing the executive |
357 | director and general counsel of the department. |
358 | (2) DIVISIONS.-The Department of Gaming Control shall |
359 | consist of the following divisions: |
360 | (a) The Division of Enforcement. |
361 | (b) The Division of Licensure. |
362 | (c) The Division of Revenue and Audits. |
363 | (3) DEFINITIONS.-As used in this section, the term: |
364 | (a) "Commission" means the State Gaming Commission. |
365 | (b) "Department" means the Department of Gaming Control. |
366 | (c) "Gaming control" means any gaming activity, |
367 | occupation, or profession regulated by the department. |
368 | (d) "License" means any permit, registration, certificate, |
369 | or license issued by the department. |
370 | (e) "Licensee" means any person issued a permit, |
371 | registration, certificate, or license by the department. |
372 | (4) POWERS AND DUTIES.- |
373 | (a) The department shall adopt rules establishing a |
374 | procedure for the renewal of licenses. |
375 | (b) The department shall submit an annual budget to the |
376 | Legislature at a time and in the manner provided by law. |
377 | (c) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. |
378 | 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer the provisions of law |
379 | conferring duties upon it. |
380 | (d) The department shall require an oath on application |
381 | documents as required by rule, which oath must state that the |
382 | information contained in the document is true and complete. |
383 | (e) The department shall adopt rules for the control, |
384 | supervision, and direction of all applicants, permittees, and |
385 | licensees and for the holding, conducting, and operating of any |
386 | gaming establishment under the jurisdiction of the department in |
387 | this state. The department shall have the authority to suspend a |
388 | permit or license under the jurisdiction of the department if |
389 | such permitholder or licensee has violated any provision of |
390 | chapter 550, chapter 551, or chapter 849 or rules adopted by the |
391 | department. Such rules must be uniform in their application and |
392 | effect, and the duty of exercising this control and power is |
393 | made mandatory upon the department. |
394 | (f) The department may take testimony concerning any |
395 | matter within its jurisdiction and issue summons and subpoenas |
396 | for any witness and subpoenas duces tecum in connection with any |
397 | matter within the jurisdiction of the department under its seal |
398 | and signed by the executive director. |
399 | (g) In addition to the power to exclude certain persons |
400 | from any pari-mutuel facility in this state, the department may |
401 | exclude any person from any and all gaming establishments under |
402 | the jurisdiction of the department in this state. The department |
403 | may exclude from any gaming establishment under its jurisdiction |
404 | within this state any person who has been ejected from a pari- |
405 | mutuel facility or other gaming establishment in this state or |
406 | who has been excluded from any pari-mutuel facility or other |
407 | gaming establishment in another state by the governmental |
408 | department, agency, commission, or authority exercising |
409 | regulatory jurisdiction over such facilities in such other |
410 | state. The department may authorize any person who has been |
411 | ejected or excluded from establishments in this state or another |
412 | state to enter such facilities in this state upon a finding that |
413 | the attendance of such person would not be adverse to the public |
414 | interest or to the integrity of the industry; however, this |
415 | paragraph may not be construed to abrogate the common-law right |
416 | of a pari-mutuel permitholder or a proprietor of a gaming |
417 | establishment to exclude absolutely a patron in this state. |
418 | (h) The department may collect taxes and require |
419 | compliance with reporting requirements for financial information |
420 | as authorized by chapter 550, chapter 551, s. 849.086, or s. |
421 | 849.094. In addition, the executive director of the department |
422 | may require gaming establishments within its jurisdiction within |
423 | the state to remit taxes, including fees, by electronic funds |
424 | transfer. |
425 | (i) The department may conduct investigations necessary |
426 | for enforcing chapters 550 and 551 and ss. 849.086 and 849.094. |
427 | (j) The department may impose an administrative fine for a |
428 | violation under chapter 550, chapter 551, s. 849.086, or s. |
429 | 849.094 of not more than $10,000 for each count or separate |
430 | offense, except as otherwise provided in chapter 550, chapter |
431 | 551, s. 849.086, or s. 849.094, and may suspend or revoke a |
432 | permit, an operating license, or an occupational license for a |
433 | violation under chapter 550, chapter 551, s. 849.086, or s. |
434 | 849.094. All fines imposed and collected under this paragraph |
435 | must be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit |
436 | of the General Revenue Fund. |
437 | (k) The department shall have sole authority and power to |
438 | make, adopt, amend, or repeal rules relating to gaming |
439 | operations, to enforce and to carry out the provisions of |
440 | chapters 550 and 551 and ss. 849.086 and 849.094, and to |
441 | regulate authorized gaming activities in the state. |
442 | (l) The department may contract with the Department of Law |
443 | Enforcement, through an interagency agreement, to enforce any |
444 | criminal law or to conduct any criminal investigation. |
445 | (m) The department shall contract with the Department of |
446 | Revenue, through an interagency agreement, to perform the tax |
447 | collection and financial audit services for the taxes required |
448 | to be collected by entities licensed or regulated by chapter |
449 | 550, chapter 551, or chapter 849. The interagency agreement |
450 | shall also allow the Department of Revenue to assist in any |
451 | financial investigations of licensees or applications for |
452 | licenses by the Department of Gaming Control or law enforcement |
453 | agencies. |
454 | (5) FINANCIALLY DEPENDENT CHILDREN; SUPPORT.-The |
455 | department shall work cooperatively with the Department of |
456 | Revenue to implement an automated method for periodically |
457 | disclosing information relating to current licensees to the |
458 | Department of Revenue. The purpose of this subsection is to |
459 | promote the public policy of this state as established in s. |
460 | 409.2551. The department shall, when directed by the court or |
461 | the Department of Revenue pursuant to s. 409.2598, suspend or |
462 | deny the license of any licensee found not to be in compliance |
463 | with a support order, subpoena, order to show cause, or written |
464 | agreement entered into by the licensee with the Department of |
465 | Revenue. The department shall issue or reinstate the license |
466 | without additional charge to the licensee when notified by the |
467 | court or the Department of Revenue that the licensee has |
468 | complied with the terms of the support order. The department is |
469 | not liable for any license denial or suspension resulting from |
470 | the discharge of its duties under this subsection. |
471 | (6) LICENSING.-The department may: |
472 | (a) Close and terminate deficient license application |
473 | files 2 years after the department notifies the applicant of the |
474 | deficiency. |
475 | (b) Approve gaming-related license applications that meet |
476 | all statutory and rule requirements for licensure. |
477 | Section 3. Subsection (4) of section 120.80, Florida |
478 | Statutes, is amended, and subsections (19) and (20) are added to |
479 | that section, to read: |
480 | 120.80 Exceptions and special requirements; agencies.- |
481 | (4) DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION.- |
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508 | 120.57(1)(a), formal hearings may not be conducted by the |
509 | Secretary of Business and Professional Regulation or a board or |
510 | member of a board within the Department of Business and |
511 | Professional Regulation for matters relating to the regulation |
512 | of professions, as defined by chapter 455. |
513 | (19) DEPARTMENT OF GAMING CONTROL; PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING.- |
514 | (a) The department is exempt from the hearing and notice |
515 | requirements of ss. 120.569 and 120.57(1)(a) as applied to |
516 | stewards, judges, and boards of judges if the hearing is to be |
517 | held for the purpose of the imposition of fines or suspension as |
518 | provided by rules of the department, but not for revocations, |
519 | and only to consider violations of subparagraphs (b)1.-6. |
520 | (b) The department shall adopt rules establishing |
521 | alternative procedures, including a hearing upon reasonable |
522 | notice, for the following: |
523 | 1. Horse riding, harness riding, greyhound interference, |
524 | and jai alai game actions in violation of chapter 550. |
525 | 2. Application and administration of drugs and medication |
526 | to horses, greyhounds, and jai alai players in violation of |
527 | chapter 550. |
528 | 3. Maintaining or possessing any device that could be used |
529 | for the injection or other infusion of a prohibited drug into a |
530 | horse, greyhound, or jai alai players in violation of chapter |
531 | 550. |
532 | 4. Suspensions under reciprocity agreements between the |
533 | department and regulatory agencies of other states. |
534 | 5. Assault or other crimes of violence on premises |
535 | licensed for pari-mutuel wagering. |
536 | 6. Prearranging the outcome of any race or game. |
537 | (20) STATE GAMING COMMISSION.- |
538 | (a) The State Gaming Commission is exempt from the hearing |
539 | and notice requirements of ss. 120.569 and 120.57(1)(a) in |
540 | proceedings for the issuance or denial of a destination resort |
541 | license. |
542 | (b) Section 120.60 does not apply to applications for a |
543 | destination resort license. |
544 | (c) Notwithstanding s. 120.542, the State Gaming |
545 | Commission may not accept a petition for waiver or variance and |
546 | may not grant any waiver or variance from the requirements of |
547 | part III of chapter 551. |
548 | Section 4. Chapter 551, Florida Statutes, consisting of |
549 | sections 551.101 through 551.123, is designated as part II of |
550 | that chapter and entitled "Slot Machines"; part I of that |
551 | chapter, consisting of sections 551.002 through 551.012, as |
552 | created by this act, is entitled "State Gaming Commission"; and |
553 | part III of that chapter, consisting of sections 551.301 through |
554 | 551.331, as created by this act, is entitled "Destination |
555 | Resorts." |
556 | Section 5. Section 551.002, Florida Statutes, is created |
557 | to read: |
558 | 551.002 Definitions.-As used in this chapter, the term: |
559 | (1) "Affiliate" means a person or applicant who, directly |
560 | or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries: |
561 | (a) Controls, is controlled by, or is under common control |
562 | of; |
563 | (b) Is in a partnership or joint venture relationship |
564 | with; or |
565 | (c) Is a shareholder of a corporation, a member of a |
566 | limited liability company, or a partner in a limited liability |
567 | partnership with, |
568 | |
569 | an applicant for a resort license or a resort licensee. |
570 | (2) "Chair" means the chair of the State Gaming |
571 | Commission. |
572 | (3) "Commission" means the State Gaming Commission. |
573 | (4) "Conflict of interest" means a situation in which the |
574 | private interest of a member, employee, or agent of the |
575 | commission may influence his or her judgment in the performance |
576 | of his or her public duty under this chapter. A conflict of |
577 | interest includes, but is not limited to: |
578 | (a) Any conduct that would lead a reasonable person having |
579 | knowledge of all of the circumstances to conclude that the |
580 | member, employee, or agent of the commission is biased against |
581 | or in favor of an applicant. |
582 | (b) The acceptance of any form of compensation from a |
583 | source other than the commission for any services rendered as |
584 | part of the official duties of the member, employee, or agent of |
585 | the commission. |
586 | (c) Participation in any business transaction with or |
587 | before the commission in which the member, employee, or agent of |
588 | the commission, or the parent, spouse, or child of a member, |
589 | employee, or the agent, has a financial interest. |
590 | (5) "Department" means the Department of Gaming Control. |
591 | (6) "Division" means the Division of Licensure of the |
592 | department. |
593 | (7) "Executive director" means the executive director of |
594 | the department. |
595 | (8) "Financial interest" or "financially interested" means |
596 | any interest in investments or awarding of contracts, grants, |
597 | loans, purchases, leases, sales, or similar matters under |
598 | consideration or consummated by the commission or the |
599 | department, or ownership in an applicant or a licensee. A |
600 | member, employee, or agent of the commission is deemed to have a |
601 | financial interest in a matter if: |
602 | (a) The individual owns any interest in any class of |
603 | outstanding securities that are issued by a party to the matter |
604 | under consideration by the commission or the department, except |
605 | indirect interests such as a mutual fund or stock portfolios; or |
606 | (b) The individual is employed by or is an independent |
607 | contractor for a party to a matter under consideration by the |
608 | commission or the department. |
609 | Section 6. Section 551.003, Florida Statutes, is created |
610 | to read: |
611 | 551.003 State Gaming Commission; creation and membership.- |
612 | (1) CREATION.-There is created the State Gaming |
613 | Commission. The commission shall be composed of seven members |
614 | who are residents of the state and who have experience in |
615 | corporate finance, tourism, convention and resort management, |
616 | gaming, investigation or law enforcement, business law, or |
617 | related legal experience. The members of the commission shall |
618 | serve as the agency head of the commission. The commission is |
619 | exempt from the provisions of s. 20.052. |
620 | (2) MEMBERS.-Each member shall be appointed to a 4-year |
621 | term. However, for the purpose of providing staggered terms, of |
622 | the initial appointments, three members shall be appointed to 2- |
623 | year terms and four members shall be appointed to 4-year terms. |
624 | Terms expire on June 30. Upon the expiration of the term of a |
625 | commissioner, a successor shall be appointed in the same manner |
626 | as the original appointment to serve for a 4-year term. A |
627 | commissioner whose term has expired shall continue to serve on |
628 | the commission until such time as a replacement is appointed. If |
629 | a vacancy on the commission occurs before the expiration of the |
630 | term, it shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term |
631 | in the same manner as the original appointment. |
632 | (a)1.a. One member of the commission must be a certified |
633 | public accountant licensed in this state who possesses at least |
634 | 5 years of experience in general accounting. The member must |
635 | also possess a comprehensive knowledge of the principles and |
636 | practices of corporate finance or auditing, general finance, |
637 | gaming, or economics. |
638 | b. One member of the commission must have experience in |
639 | the fields of investigation or law enforcement. |
640 | 2. When making appointments to the commission, the |
641 | Governor shall announce the classification by experience of the |
642 | person appointed. |
643 | (b) A person may not be appointed to or serve as a member |
644 | of the commission if the person: |
645 | 1. Is an elected state official; |
646 | 2. Is licensed by the commission or is an officer of, has |
647 | a financial interest in, or has a direct or indirect contractual |
648 | relationship with any applicant for a resort license or resort |
649 | licensee; |
650 | 3. Is related to any person within the second degree of |
651 | consanguinity of affinity who is an applicant for a license or |
652 | awarded a license by the commission or regulated by the |
653 | department; or |
654 | 4. Has, within the 10 years preceding his or her |
655 | appointment, been under indictment for, convicted of, pled |
656 | guilty or nolo contendere to, or forfeited bail for a felony or |
657 | a misdemeanor involving gambling or fraud under the laws of this |
658 | or any other state or the United States. |
659 | (c) Members of the commission shall serve full time and |
660 | receive an annual salary of $125,000. The chair shall receive an |
661 | annual salary of $135,000. |
662 | (3) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.- |
663 | (a) The chair shall be appointed by the Governor. The vice |
664 | chair of the commission shall be elected by the members of the |
665 | commission during the first meeting of the commission on or |
666 | after July 1 of each year. The chair shall be the administrative |
667 | head of the commission. The chair shall set the agenda for each |
668 | meeting. The chair shall approve all notices, vouchers, |
669 | subpoenas, and reports as required by law. The chair shall |
670 | preserve order and decorum and shall have general control of the |
671 | commission meetings. The chair shall decide all questions of |
672 | order. The chair may name any member of the commission to |
673 | perform the duties of the chair for a meeting if such |
674 | substitution does not extend beyond that meeting. |
675 | (b) If for any reason the chair is absent and fails to |
676 | name a member, the vice chair shall assume the duties of the |
677 | chair during the chair's absence. On the death, incapacitation, |
678 | or resignation of the chair, the vice chair shall perform the |
679 | duties of the office until the Governor appoints a successor. |
680 | (c) The administrative responsibilities of the chair are |
681 | to plan, organize, and control administrative support services |
682 | for the commission. Administrative functions include, but are |
683 | not limited to, finance and accounting, revenue accounting, |
684 | personnel, and office services. |
685 | (4) QUORUM.-Four members of the commission constitute a |
686 | quorum. |
687 | (5) HEADQUARTERS.-The headquarters of the commission shall |
688 | be located in the district as defined in s. 551.302. |
689 | (6) MEETINGS.-The commission shall meet at least monthly. |
690 | Meetings may be called by the chair or by four members of the |
691 | commission upon 72 hours' public notice. The initial meeting of |
692 | the commission shall be held within 30 days after the effective |
693 | date of this section. |
694 | (7) AGENCY HEAD.-The commission shall serve as the agency |
695 | head of the department for purposes of chapter 120. The |
696 | executive director of the commission may serve as the agency |
697 | head for purposes of final agency action under chapter 120 for |
698 | all areas within the regulatory authority delegated to the |
699 | executive director's office. |
700 | Section 7. Effective upon this act becoming a law, section |
701 | 551.004, Florida Statutes, is created to read: |
702 | 551.004 State Gaming Commission Nominating Committee.- |
703 | (1)(a) There is created a State Gaming Commission |
704 | Nominating Committee consisting of six members. Three members of |
705 | the committee shall be members of the House of Representatives, |
706 | one of whom shall be a member of the minority party, who shall |
707 | be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Speaker of the |
708 | House of Representatives. Three members of the committee shall |
709 | be members of the Senate, one of whom shall be a member of the |
710 | minority party, who shall be appointed by and serve at the |
711 | pleasure of the President of the Senate. Initial appointments |
712 | under this section shall be made within 10 days after the |
713 | effective date of this section. |
714 | (b) The members shall serve 2-year terms concurrent with |
715 | the 2-year elected terms of House of Representatives members, |
716 | except that the initial members shall serve until the end of |
717 | their elected terms. Members may be appointed to two 2-year |
718 | terms. Vacancies on the committee shall be filled for the |
719 | unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as original |
720 | appointments to the committee. |
721 | (c) The President of the Senate shall appoint the chair of |
722 | the committee in even-numbered years and the vice chair in odd- |
723 | numbered years, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives |
724 | shall appoint the chair of the committee in odd-numbered years |
725 | and the vice chair in even-numbered years, from among the |
726 | council membership. |
727 | (2) A member of the committee shall serve at the pleasure |
728 | of the presiding officer who appointed the member and may not |
729 | create the appearance of impropriety. |
730 | (3) A majority of the membership of the committee may |
731 | conduct any business before the committee. All meetings and |
732 | proceedings of the committee shall be staffed by the Office of |
733 | Legislative Services and shall be subject to ss. 119.07 and |
734 | 286.011. Members of the committee are entitled to receive per |
735 | diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061. Applicants |
736 | invited for interviews before the committee may, at the |
737 | discretion of the committee, receive per diem and travel |
738 | expenses as provided in s. 112.061. The committee shall |
739 | establish policies and procedures to govern the process by which |
740 | applicants for appointment to the commission are nominated. |
741 | (4)(a) The committee may spend a nominal amount, not to |
742 | exceed $10,000, to advertise a vacancy on the commission. |
743 | (b) For initial selection of an executive director for the |
744 | Department of Gaming Control, the committee may advertise and |
745 | receive applications for employment as the executive director. |
746 | The committee shall provide the commission with all applications |
747 | received. |
748 | (5) A person may not be nominated to the Governor for |
749 | appointment to the commission until the committee has determined |
750 | that the person is competent and knowledgeable in one or more |
751 | fields as specified in s. 551.003 and the requirements for |
752 | appointees under s. 551.003 are met. |
753 | (6) It is the responsibility of the committee to nominate |
754 | to the Governor no fewer than three persons for each vacancy |
755 | occurring on the commission. The committee shall submit |
756 | recommendations for the initial appointments to the commission |
757 | to the Governor within 60 days after the effective date of this |
758 | section. Thereafter, the committee shall submit the |
759 | recommendations to the Governor by March 15 of those years in |
760 | which the terms are to begin the following July, or within 60 |
761 | days after a vacancy occurs for any reason other than the |
762 | expiration of the term. |
763 | (7) The Governor shall, pursuant to this section and s. |
764 | 551.003, make initial appointments to the commission within 60 |
765 | days after receiving the recommended nominees under this section |
766 | and fill any vacancy occurring on the commission by appointment |
767 | of one of the applicants nominated by the committee. An |
768 | appointment may be made only after a background investigation of |
769 | such applicant has been conducted by the Department of Law |
770 | Enforcement. |
771 | (8) Members of the commission shall be appointed by the |
772 | Governor and, notwithstanding s. 114.05(1)(e) and (f), shall be |
773 | subject to confirmation by the Senate under the following |
774 | conditions. The Senate may consider the appointment during the |
775 | regular session immediately following the effective date of the |
776 | appointment or during any subsequent regular or special session |
777 | during the term of the member. The Senate may confirm or refuse |
778 | to confirm the appointment during any regular or special |
779 | session. |
780 | (9) When the Governor makes an appointment to fill a |
781 | vacancy occurring due to expiration of the term, and that |
782 | appointment has not been confirmed by the Senate before the |
783 | appointing Governor's term ends, a successor Governor may, |
784 | within 30 days after taking office, recall the appointment and, |
785 | prior to the first day of the next regular session, make a |
786 | replacement appointment from the list provided to the previous |
787 | Governor by the committee. Such an appointment is subject to |
788 | confirmation by the Senate pursuant to subsection (8). |
789 | Section 8. Section 551.006, Florida Statutes, is created |
790 | to read: |
791 | 551.006 Executive director.-The commission shall, pursuant |
792 | to s. 20.05, appoint or remove the executive director of the |
793 | department by a majority vote. An interim executive director |
794 | shall be appointed within 10 days after the initial meeting of |
795 | the commission. |
796 | (1) The executive director: |
797 | (a) Shall devote full time to the duties of the office; |
798 | (b) May not hold any other office or employment; |
799 | (c) Shall perform all duties assigned by the commission; |
800 | and |
801 | (d) May hire assistants, consultants, and employees as |
802 | necessary to conduct the business of the commission. |
803 | (2)(a) The executive director may not employ a person who, |
804 | during the 3 years immediately preceding employment, held a |
805 | direct or indirect interest in, or was employed by: |
806 | 1. A resort licensee or supplier licensee; |
807 | 2. An applicant for a resort license or an applicant for a |
808 | similar license in another jurisdiction; |
809 | 3. An entity licensed to operate a gaming facility in |
810 | another state; |
811 | 4. A pari-mutuel gaming facility licensed to operate in |
812 | this state; or |
813 | 5. A tribal gaming facility within this state. |
814 | (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a person may be |
815 | employed by the commission if the commission finds that the |
816 | person's former interest in any licensee will not interfere with |
817 | the objective discharge of the person's employment obligations. |
818 | However, a person may not be employed by the commission if: |
819 | 1. The person's interest in an applicant, licensee, or |
820 | tribal facility constituted a controlling interest; or |
821 | 2. The person or the person's spouse, parent, child, |
822 | child's spouse, or sibling is a member of the commission, or a |
823 | director of, or a person financially interested in, an applicant |
824 | or a licensee. |
825 | Section 9. Section 551.007, Florida Statutes, is created |
826 | to read: |
827 | 551.007 Law enforcement.- |
828 | (1) The department may employ sworn law enforcement |
829 | officers meeting the qualifications and certification |
830 | requirements under paragraph (a), and hire and train personnel |
831 | to be employed as sworn law enforcement officers, to enforce any |
832 | criminal law, conduct any criminal investigation, or enforce any |
833 | statute within the jurisdiction of the department. |
834 | (a) Each law enforcement officer must meet the |
835 | qualifications for law enforcement officers under s. 943.13 and |
836 | must be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Department |
837 | of Law Enforcement. Upon certification, each law enforcement |
838 | officer is subject to and has the authority provided to law |
839 | enforcement officers generally under chapter 901 and has |
840 | statewide jurisdiction. |
841 | (b) Each law enforcement officer has arrest authority as |
842 | provided for state law enforcement officers under s. 901.15, and |
843 | full law enforcement powers granted to other officers of this |
844 | state, including the authority to make arrests, carry firearms, |
845 | serve court process, and seize contraband and proceeds from |
846 | illegal activities. |
847 | (c) Each law enforcement officer of the commission, upon |
848 | certification under s. 943.1395, has the same right and |
849 | authority to carry arms as do the sheriffs of this state. |
850 | (2) The department may also, by interagency agreement, |
851 | employ the Department of Law Enforcement to enforce any criminal |
852 | law, conduct any criminal investigation, or enforce any statute |
853 | within the jurisdiction of the commission or the department. |
854 | Section 10. Section 551.008, Florida Statutes, is created |
855 | to read: |
856 | 551.008 Code of ethics.- |
857 | (1) The commission shall adopt a code of ethics by rule |
858 | for its members, employees, and agents. |
859 | (2) A member of the commission or the executive director |
860 | may not hold a direct or indirect interest in, be employed by, |
861 | or enter into a contract for services with an applicant or |
862 | person licensed by the commission for a period of 3 years after |
863 | the date of termination of the person's membership on or |
864 | employment with the commission. |
865 | (3) An employee of the commission may not acquire a direct |
866 | or indirect interest in, be employed by, or enter into a |
867 | contract for services with an applicant or person licensed by |
868 | the commission for a period of 3 years after the date of |
869 | termination of the person's employment with the commission. |
870 | (4) A commission member or a person employed by the |
871 | commission may not represent a person or party other than the |
872 | state before or against the commission for a period of 3 years |
873 | after the date of termination of the member's term of office or |
874 | the employee's period of employment with the commission. |
875 | (5) A business entity in which a former commission member, |
876 | employee, or agent has an interest, or any partner, officer, or |
877 | employee of that business entity, may not appear before or |
878 | represent another person before the commission if the former |
879 | commission member, employee, or agent would be prohibited from |
880 | doing so. As used in this subsection, the term "business entity" |
881 | means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, |
882 | limited liability partnership association, trust, or other form |
883 | of legal entity. |
884 | (6) A member, employee, or agent of the commission may |
885 | not, during the duration of the person's appointment or |
886 | employment: |
887 | (a) Use the person's official authority or influence for |
888 | the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an |
889 | election; |
890 | (b) Run for nomination or as a candidate for election to |
891 | any partisan or nonpartisan political office; or |
892 | (c) Knowingly solicit or discourage the participation in |
893 | any political activity of any person who is: |
894 | 1. Applying for any compensation, grant, contract, ruling, |
895 | license, permit, or certificate pending before the commission; |
896 | or |
897 | 2. The subject of or a participant in an ongoing audit, |
898 | investigation, or enforcement action being carried out by the |
899 | commission. |
900 | (7) A former member, employee, or agent of the commission |
901 | may appear before the commission as a witness testifying as to |
902 | factual matters or actions handled by the former member, |
903 | employee, or agent during his or her tenure with the commission. |
904 | However, the former member, employee, or agent of the commission |
905 | may not receive compensation for the appearance other than a |
906 | standard witness fee and reimbursement for travel expenses as |
907 | established by statute or rules governing administrative |
908 | proceedings before the Division of Administrative Hearings. |
909 | (8)(a) The executive director must approve outside |
910 | employment for an employee or agent of the commission. |
911 | (b) An employee or agent of the commission granted |
912 | permission for outside employment may not conduct any business |
913 | or perform any activities, including solicitation, related to |
914 | outside employment on premises used by the commission or during |
915 | the employee's working hours for the commission. |
916 | (c) As used in this subsection, the term "outside |
917 | employment" includes, but is not limited to: |
918 | 1. Operating a proprietorship; |
919 | 2. Participating in a partnership or group business |
920 | enterprise; or |
921 | 3. Performing as a director or corporate officer of any |
922 | for-profit corporation or banking or credit institution. |
923 | (9) A member, employee, or agent of the commission may not |
924 | participate in or wager on any game conducted by any resort |
925 | licensee or applicant or any affiliate of a licensee or |
926 | applicant regulated by the commission in this state or in any |
927 | other jurisdiction, except as required as part of the person's |
928 | surveillance, security, or other official duties. |
929 | Section 11. Section 551.009, Florida Statutes, is created |
930 | to read: |
931 | 551.009 Disclosures by commissioners, employees, and |
932 | agents.- |
933 | (1) COMMISSIONERS.- |
934 | (a) Each member of the commission must file a financial |
935 | disclosure statement pursuant to s. 112.3145. |
936 | (b) Each member must disclose information required by |
937 | rules of the commission to ensure the integrity of the |
938 | commission and its work. |
939 | (c) By January 1 of each year, each member must file a |
940 | statement with the commission: |
941 | 1. Affirming that neither the member, nor the member's |
942 | spouse, parent, child, or child's spouse, is a member of the |
943 | board of directors of, financially interested in, or employed by |
944 | an applicant or resort licensee. |
945 | 2. Affirming that the member is in compliance with part |
946 | III and the rules of the commission. |
947 | 3. Disclosing any legal or beneficial interest in real |
948 | property that is or may be directly or indirectly involved with |
949 | activities or persons regulated by the commission. |
950 | (d) Each member must disclose involvement with any gaming |
951 | interest in the 3 years preceding appointment as a member. |
952 | (2) EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS.- |
953 | (a) The executive director and each managerial employee |
954 | and agent, as determined by the commission, must file a |
955 | financial disclosure statement pursuant to s. 112.3145. All |
956 | employees and agents must comply with the provisions of chapter |
957 | 112. |
958 | (b) The executive director and each managerial employee |
959 | and agent identified by rule of the commission must disclose |
960 | information required by rules of the commission to ensure the |
961 | integrity of the commission and its work. |
962 | (c) By January 31 of each year, each employee and agent of |
963 | the commission must file a statement with the commission: |
964 | 1. Affirming that neither the employee, nor the employee's |
965 | spouse, parent, child, or child's spouse, is financially |
966 | interested in or employed by an applicant or licensee. |
967 | 2. Affirming that the person does not have any financial |
968 | interest prohibited by laws or rules administered by the |
969 | commission. |
970 | 3. Disclosing any legal or beneficial interest in real |
971 | property that is or may be directly or indirectly involved with |
972 | activities or persons regulated by the commission. |
973 | (d) Each employee or agent of the commission must disclose |
974 | involvement with any gaming interest during the 3 years before |
975 | employment. |
976 | (3) CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING IMMEDIATE DISCLOSURE.- |
977 | (a) A member, employee, or agent of the commission who |
978 | becomes aware that the member, employee, or agent of the |
979 | commission or his or her spouse, parent, or child is a member of |
980 | the board of directors of, financially interested in, or |
981 | employed by an applicant or licensee must immediately provide |
982 | detailed written notice to the chair. |
983 | (b) A member, employee, or agent of the commission must |
984 | immediately provide detailed written notice of the circumstances |
985 | to the chair if the member, employee, or agent is indicted, |
986 | charged with, convicted of, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, |
987 | or forfeits bail for: |
988 | 1. A misdemeanor involving gambling, dishonesty, theft, or |
989 | fraud; |
990 | 2. A violation of any law in any state, or a law of the |
991 | United States or any other jurisdiction, involving gambling, |
992 | dishonesty, theft, or fraud which substantially corresponds to a |
993 | misdemeanor in this state; or |
994 | 3. A felony under the laws of this or any other state, the |
995 | United States, or any other jurisdiction. |
996 | (c) A member, employee, or agent of the commission who is |
997 | negotiating for an interest in a licensee or an applicant, or is |
998 | affiliated with such a person, must immediately provide written |
999 | notice of the details of the interest to the chair. The member, |
1000 | employee, or agent of the commission may not act on behalf of |
1001 | the commission with respect to that person. |
1002 | (d) A member, employee, or agent of the commission may not |
1003 | enter into negotiations for employment with any person or |
1004 | affiliate of any person who is an applicant, licensee, or |
1005 | affiliate. If a member, employee, or agent of the commission |
1006 | enters into negotiations for employment in violation of this |
1007 | paragraph or receives an invitation, written or oral, to |
1008 | initiate a discussion concerning employment with any person who |
1009 | is a licensee, applicant, or affiliate, he or she must |
1010 | immediately provide written notice of the details of any such |
1011 | negotiations or discussions to the chair. The member, employee, |
1012 | or agent of the commission may not take any action on behalf of |
1013 | the commission with respect to that licensee or applicant. |
1014 | (e) A licensee or applicant may not knowingly initiate a |
1015 | negotiation for, or discussion of, employment with a member, |
1016 | employee, or agent of the commission. A licensee or applicant |
1017 | who initiates a negotiation or discussion about employment shall |
1018 | immediately provide written notice of the details of the |
1019 | negotiation or discussion to the chair as soon as that person |
1020 | becomes aware that the negotiation or discussion has been |
1021 | initiated with a member, employee, or agent of the commission. |
1022 | (f) A member, employee, or agent of the commission, or a |
1023 | parent, spouse, sibling, or child of a member, employee, or |
1024 | agent of the commission, may not accept any gift, gratuity, |
1025 | compensation, travel, lodging, or anything of value, directly or |
1026 | indirectly, from a licensee, applicant, or affiliate or |
1027 | representative of a person regulated by the commission. A |
1028 | member, employee, or agent of the commission who is offered or |
1029 | receives any gift, gratuity, compensation, travel, lodging, or |
1030 | anything of value, directly or indirectly, from any licensee, |
1031 | applicant, or affiliate or representative of a person regulated |
1032 | by the commission must immediately provide written notice of the |
1033 | details to the chair. |
1034 | (g) A licensee, applicant, or affiliate or representative |
1035 | of an applicant or licensee may not, directly or indirectly, |
1036 | knowingly give or offer to give any gift, gratuity, |
1037 | compensation, travel, lodging, or anything of value to any |
1038 | member or employee, or to a parent, spouse, sibling, or child of |
1039 | a member, employee, or agent, which the member or employee is |
1040 | prohibited from accepting under paragraph (f). |
1041 | (h) A member, employee, or agent of the commission may not |
1042 | engage in any conduct that constitutes a conflict of interest |
1043 | and must immediately advise the chair in writing of the details |
1044 | of any incident or circumstance that would suggest the existence |
1045 | of a conflict of interest with respect to the performance of |
1046 | commission-related work or duty of the member, employee, or |
1047 | agent of the commission. |
1048 | (i) A member, employee, or agent of the commission who is |
1049 | approached and offered a bribe must immediately provide a |
1050 | written account of the details of the incident to the chair and |
1051 | to a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the matter. |
1052 | Section 12. Section 551.011, Florida Statutes, is created |
1053 | to read: |
1054 | 551.011 Ex parte communications.- |
1055 | (1) A licensee, applicant, or affiliate or representative |
1056 | of an applicant or licensee may not engage directly or |
1057 | indirectly in ex parte communications concerning a pending |
1058 | application, license, or enforcement action with a member of the |
1059 | commission or concerning a matter that likely will be pending |
1060 | before the commission. A member of the commission may not engage |
1061 | directly or indirectly in any ex parte communications concerning |
1062 | a pending application, license, or enforcement action with |
1063 | members of the commission, or with a licensee, applicant, or |
1064 | affiliate or representative of an applicant or licensee, or |
1065 | concerning a matter that likely will be pending before the |
1066 | commission. |
1067 | (2) Any commission member, licensee, applicant, or |
1068 | affiliate or representative of a commission member, licensee, or |
1069 | applicant who receives any ex parte communication in violation |
1070 | of subsection (1), or who is aware of an attempted communication |
1071 | in violation of subsection (1), must immediately report details |
1072 | of the communication or attempted communication in writing to |
1073 | the chair. |
1074 | (3) If a commissioner knowingly receives an ex parte |
1075 | communication relative to a proceeding to which he or she is |
1076 | assigned, he or she must place on the record copies of all |
1077 | written communications received, copies of all written responses |
1078 | to the communications, and a memorandum stating the substance of |
1079 | all oral communications received and all oral responses made, |
1080 | and shall give written notice to all parties to the |
1081 | communication that such matters have been placed on the record. |
1082 | Any party who desires to respond to an ex parte communication |
1083 | may do so. The response must be received by the commission |
1084 | within 10 days after receiving notice that the ex parte |
1085 | communication has been placed on the record. The commissioner |
1086 | may, if he or she deems it necessary to eliminate the effect of |
1087 | an ex parte communication received by him or her, withdraw from |
1088 | the proceeding potentially impacted by the ex parte |
1089 | communication. After a commissioner withdraws from the |
1090 | proceeding, the chair shall substitute another commissioner for |
1091 | the proceeding if the proceeding was not assigned to the full |
1092 | commission. |
1093 | (4) Any individual who makes an ex parte communication |
1094 | must submit to the commission a written statement describing the |
1095 | nature of the communication, including the name of the person |
1096 | making the communication, the name of the commissioner or |
1097 | commissioners receiving the communication, copies of all written |
1098 | communications made, all written responses to such |
1099 | communications, and a memorandum stating the substance of all |
1100 | oral communications received and all oral responses made. The |
1101 | commission shall place on the record of a proceeding all such |
1102 | communications. |
1103 | (5) A member of the commission who knowingly fails to |
1104 | place on the record any ex parte communications, in violation of |
1105 | this section, within 15 days after the date of the communication |
1106 | is subject to removal and may be assessed a civil penalty not to |
1107 | exceed $25,000. |
1108 | (6) The Commission on Ethics shall receive and investigate |
1109 | sworn complaints of violations of this section pursuant to ss. |
1110 | 112.322-112.3241. |
1111 | (7) If the Commission on Ethics finds that a member of the |
1112 | commission has violated this section, it shall provide the |
1113 | Governor with a report of its findings and recommendations. The |
1114 | Governor may enforce the findings and recommendations of the |
1115 | Commission on Ethics pursuant to part III of chapter 112. |
1116 | (8) If a commissioner fails or refuses to pay the |
1117 | Commission on Ethics any civil penalties assessed pursuant to |
1118 | this section, the Commission on Ethics may bring an action in |
1119 | any circuit court to enforce such penalty. |
1120 | (9) If, during the course of an investigation by the |
1121 | Commission on Ethics into an alleged violation of this section, |
1122 | allegations are made as to the identity of the person who |
1123 | participated in the ex parte communication, that person must be |
1124 | given notice and an opportunity to participate in the |
1125 | investigation and relevant proceedings to present a defense. If |
1126 | the Commission on Ethics determines that the person participated |
1127 | in the ex parte communication, the person may not appear before |
1128 | the commission or otherwise represent anyone before the |
1129 | commission for 2 years. |
1130 | Section 13. Section 551.012, Florida Statutes, is created |
1131 | to read: |
1132 | 551.012 Penalties for misconduct by a commissioner, |
1133 | employee, or agent.- |
1134 | (1) A violation of this chapter by a member of the |
1135 | commission may result in disqualification or constitute cause |
1136 | for removal by the Governor or other disciplinary action as |
1137 | determined by the commission. |
1138 | (2) A violation of this chapter by an employee or agent of |
1139 | the commission does not require termination of employment or |
1140 | other disciplinary action if: |
1141 | (a) The commission determines that the conduct involved |
1142 | does not violate the purposes this chapter; or |
1143 | (b) There was no intentional action on the part of the |
1144 | employee or agent, contingent on divestment of any financial |
1145 | interest within 30 days after the interest was acquired. |
1146 | (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), an employee or agent |
1147 | of the commission who violates this chapter shall be terminated |
1148 | if a financial interest in a licensee, applicant, or affiliate |
1149 | or representative of a licensee or applicant is acquired by: |
1150 | (a) An employee of the commission; or |
1151 | (b) The employee's or agent's spouse, parent, or child. |
1152 | (4) A violation of this chapter does not create a civil |
1153 | cause of action. |
1154 | Section 14. Section 551.301, Florida Statutes, is created |
1155 | to read: |
1156 | 551.301 This part may be cited as the "Destination Resort |
1157 | Act" or the "Resort Act." |
1158 | Section 15. Section 551.302, Florida Statutes, is created |
1159 | to read: |
1160 | 551.302 Definitions.-As used in this part, the term: |
1161 | (1) "Ancillary areas" includes the following areas within |
1162 | a limited gaming facility, unless the context otherwise |
1163 | requires: |
1164 | (a) Major aisles, the maximum area of which may not exceed |
1165 | the limit within any part of the limited gaming facility as |
1166 | specified by the commission. |
1167 | (b) Back-of-house facilities. |
1168 | (c) Any reception or information counter. |
1169 | (d) Any area designated for the serving or consumption of |
1170 | food and beverages. |
1171 | (e) Any retail outlet. |
1172 | (f) Any area designated for performances. |
1173 | (g) Any area designated for aesthetic or decorative |
1174 | displays. |
1175 | (h) Staircases, staircase landings, escalators, lifts, and |
1176 | lift lobbies. |
1177 | (i) Bathrooms. |
1178 | (j) Any other area that is not intended to be used for the |
1179 | conduct or playing of games or as a gaming pit as defined by |
1180 | rules of the commission or specified in the application for the |
1181 | destination resort license. |
1182 | (2) "Applicant," as the context requires, means a person |
1183 | who applies for a resort license, supplier license, or |
1184 | occupational license. A county, municipality, or other unit of |
1185 | government is prohibited from applying for a resort license. |
1186 | (3) "Credit" means the method by which a licensee issues |
1187 | chips or tokens to a wagerer of the licensee to play games or |
1188 | slot machines, in return for which the wagerer executes a credit |
1189 | instrument to evidence the debt owed. The issuance of credit to |
1190 | a wagerer may not be deemed a loan from the licensee to the |
1191 | wagerer. |
1192 | (4) "Destination resort" or "resort" means a freestanding, |
1193 | land-based structure in which limited gaming may be conducted. A |
1194 | destination resort is a mixed-use development consisting of a |
1195 | combination of various tourism amenities and facilities, |
1196 | including, but not limited to, hotels, villas, restaurants, |
1197 | limited gaming facilities, convention facilities, attractions, |
1198 | entertainment facilities, service centers, and shopping centers. |
1199 | (5) "Destination resort license" or "resort license" means |
1200 | a license to operate and maintain a destination resort having a |
1201 | limited gaming facility. |
1202 | (6) "District" means a county in which a majority of the |
1203 | electors voting in a countywide referendum have approved the |
1204 | conduct of slot machine gaming as defined in s. 551.102 or a |
1205 | majority of the electors voting in a countywide referendum have |
1206 | passed a referendum allowing for limited gaming. |
1207 | (7) "Gaming pit" means an area commonly known as a gaming |
1208 | pit or any similar area from which limited gaming employees |
1209 | administer and supervise the games. |
1210 | (8) "Gross receipts" means the total of cash or cash |
1211 | equivalents received or retained as winnings by a resort |
1212 | licensee and the compensation received for conducting any game |
1213 | in which the resort licensee is not party to a wager, less cash |
1214 | taken in fraudulent acts perpetrated against the resort licensee |
1215 | for which the resort licensee is not reimbursed. The term does |
1216 | not include: |
1217 | (a) Counterfeit money or tokens; |
1218 | (b) Coins of other countries which are received in gaming |
1219 | devices and which cannot be converted into United States |
1220 | currency; |
1221 | (c) Promotional credits or free play as provided by the |
1222 | resort licensee as a means of marketing the limited gaming |
1223 | facility; or |
1224 | (d) The amount of any credit extended until collected. |
1225 | (9) "Individual" means a natural person. |
1226 | (10) "Institutional investor" means, but is not limited |
1227 | to: |
1228 | (a) A retirement fund administered by a public agency for |
1229 | the exclusive benefit of federal, state, or county public |
1230 | employees. |
1231 | (b) An employee benefit plan or pension fund that is |
1232 | subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. |
1233 | (c) An investment company registered under the Investment |
1234 | Company Act of 1940. |
1235 | (d) A collective investment trust organized by a bank |
1236 | under 12 C.F.R. part 9, s. 9.18. |
1237 | (e) A closed-end investment trust. |
1238 | (f) A life insurance company or property and casualty |
1239 | insurance company. |
1240 | (g) A financial institution. |
1241 | (h) An investment advisor registered under the Investment |
1242 | Advisers Act of 1940. |
1243 | (i) Such other persons as the commission may determine for |
1244 | reasons consistent with the policies of this part. |
1245 | (11) "Junket enterprise" means any person who, for |
1246 | compensation, employs or otherwise engages in the procurement or |
1247 | referral of persons for a junket to a destination resort |
1248 | licensed under this part regardless of whether those activities |
1249 | occur within this state. The term does not include a resort |
1250 | licensee or applicant for a resort license or a person holding |
1251 | an occupational license. |
1252 | (12) "License," as the context requires, means a resort |
1253 | license, supplier license, or occupational license. |
1254 | (13) "Licensee," as the context requires, means a person |
1255 | who is licensed as a resort licensee, supplier licensee, or |
1256 | occupational licensee. |
1257 | (14) "Limited gaming," "game," or "gaming," as the context |
1258 | requires, means the games authorized under this part in a |
1259 | limited gaming facility, including, but not limited to, those |
1260 | commonly known as baccarat, twenty-one, poker, craps, slot |
1261 | machines, video gaming of chance, roulette wheels, Klondike |
1262 | tables, punch-board, faro layout, numbers ticket, push car, jar |
1263 | ticket, pull tab, or their common variants, or any other game of |
1264 | chance or wagering device that is authorized by the commission. |
1265 | (15) "Limited gaming employee" or "gaming employee" means |
1266 | any employee of a resort licensee, including, but not limited |
1267 | to: |
1268 | (a) Cashiers. |
1269 | (b) Change personnel. |
1270 | (c) Count room personnel. |
1271 | (d) Slot machine attendants. |
1272 | (e) Hosts or other individuals authorized to extend |
1273 | complimentary services, including employees performing functions |
1274 | similar to those performed by a representative for a junket |
1275 | enterprise. |
1276 | (f) Machine mechanics and computer technicians performing |
1277 | duties on machines with gaming-related functions or table game |
1278 | device technicians. |
1279 | (g) Security personnel. |
1280 | (h) Surveillance personnel. |
1281 | (i) Promotional play supervisors, credit supervisors, pit |
1282 | supervisors, cashier supervisors, gaming shift supervisors, |
1283 | table game managers, assistant managers, and other supervisors |
1284 | and managers. |
1285 | (j) Boxmen. |
1286 | (k) Dealers or croupiers. |
1287 | (l) Floormen. |
1288 | (m) Personnel authorized to issue promotional credits. |
1289 | (n) Personnel authorized to issue credit. |
1290 | |
1291 | The term does not include bartenders, cocktail servers, or other |
1292 | persons engaged in preparing or serving food or beverages, |
1293 | clerical or secretarial personnel, parking attendants, |
1294 | janitorial staff, stage hands, sound and light technicians, and |
1295 | other nongaming personnel as determined by the commission. The |
1296 | term includes a person employed by a person or entity other than |
1297 | a resort licensee who performs the functions of a limited gaming |
1298 | employee. |
1299 | (16) "Limited gaming facility" means the limited gaming |
1300 | floor and any ancillary areas. |
1301 | (17) "Limited gaming floor" means the approved gaming area |
1302 | of a resort. Ancillary areas in or directly adjacent to the |
1303 | gaming area are not part of the limited gaming floor for |
1304 | purposes of calculating the size of the limited gaming floor. |
1305 | (18) "Managerial employee" has the same meaning as in s. |
1306 | 447.203(4). |
1307 | (19) "Occupational licensee" means a person who is |
1308 | licensed to be a limited gaming employee. |
1309 | (20) "Qualifier" means an affiliate, affiliated company, |
1310 | officer, director, or managerial employee of an applicant for a |
1311 | resort license, or a person who holds a direct or indirect |
1312 | equity interest in the applicant. The term may include an |
1313 | institutional investor. As used in this subsection, the terms |
1314 | "affiliate," "affiliated company," and "a person who holds a |
1315 | direct or indirect equity interest in the applicant" do not |
1316 | include a partnership, a joint venture relationship, a |
1317 | shareholder of a corporation, a member of a limited liability |
1318 | company, or a partner in a limited liability partnership that |
1319 | has a direct or indirect equity interest in the applicant for a |
1320 | resort license of 5 percent or less and is not involved in the |
1321 | gaming operations as defined by the rules of the commission. |
1322 | (21) "Supplier licensee" or "supplier" means a person who |
1323 | is licensed to furnish gaming equipment, devices, or supplies or |
1324 | other goods or services to a resort licensee. |
1325 | (22) "Wagerer" means a person who plays a game authorized |
1326 | under this part. |
1327 | Section 16. Section 551.304, Florida Statutes, is created |
1328 | to read: |
1329 | 551.304 State Gaming Commission; powers and duties.- |
1330 | (1) The commission shall: |
1331 | (a) Authorize limited gaming at three destination resorts. |
1332 | (b) Conduct such investigations as necessary to fulfill |
1333 | its responsibilities. |
1334 | (c) Use an invitation to negotiate process for applicants |
1335 | based on minimum requirements established by this part and rules |
1336 | of the commission. |
1337 | (d) Investigate applicants for a resort license and |
1338 | determine the eligibility of applicants for a resort license and |
1339 | select from competing applicants the applicant that best serves |
1340 | the interests of the residents of Florida, based on the |
1341 | potential for economic development presented by the applicant's |
1342 | proposed investment in infrastructure, such as hotels and other |
1343 | nongaming entertainment facilities, and the applicant's ability |
1344 | to maximize revenue for the state. |
1345 | (e) Grant a license to the applicant best suited to |
1346 | operate a destination resort that has limited gaming. |
1347 | (f) Establish and collect fees for performing background |
1348 | checks on all applicants for licenses and all persons with whom |
1349 | the commission may contract for the providing of goods or |
1350 | services and for performing, or having performed, tests on |
1351 | equipment and devices to be used in a limited gaming facility. |
1352 | (g) Issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and |
1353 | subpoenas duces tecum for the production of books, records, and |
1354 | other pertinent documents as provided by law, and to administer |
1355 | oaths and affirmations to the witnesses, if, in the judgment of |
1356 | the commission, it is necessary to enforce this part or |
1357 | commission rules. If a person fails to comply with a subpoena, |
1358 | the commission may petition the circuit court of the county in |
1359 | which the person subpoenaed resides or has his or her principal |
1360 | place of business for an order requiring the subpoenaed person |
1361 | to appear and testify and to produce books, records, and |
1362 | documents as specified in the subpoena. The court may grant |
1363 | legal, equitable, or injunctive relief, which may include, but |
1364 | is not limited to, issuance of a writ of ne exeat or restraint |
1365 | by injunction or appointment of a receiver of any transfer, |
1366 | pledge, assignment, or other disposition of such person's assets |
1367 | or any concealment, alteration, destruction, or other |
1368 | disposition of subpoenaed books, records, or documents, as the |
1369 | court deems appropriate, until the person subpoenaed has fully |
1370 | complied with the subpoena and the commission has completed the |
1371 | audit, examination, or investigation. The commission is entitled |
1372 | to the summary procedure provided in s. 51.011, and the court |
1373 | shall advance the cause on its calendar. Costs incurred by the |
1374 | commission to obtain an order granting, in whole or in part, |
1375 | such petition for enforcement of a subpoena shall be charged |
1376 | against the subpoenaed person, and failure to comply with such |
1377 | order is a contempt of court. |
1378 | (h) The commission shall require each applicant for a |
1379 | destination resort license to produce the information, |
1380 | documentation, and assurances as may be necessary to establish |
1381 | by clear and convincing evidence the integrity of all financial |
1382 | backers, investors, mortgagees, bondholders, and holders of |
1383 | indentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, either in |
1384 | effect or proposed. Any such banking or lending institution and |
1385 | institutional investors may be waived from qualification |
1386 | requirements. However, banking or lending institutions or |
1387 | institutional investors shall produce for the board upon request |
1388 | any document or information that bears any relation to the |
1389 | proposal submitted by the applicant or applicants. The integrity |
1390 | of the financial sources shall be judged upon the same standards |
1391 | as the applicant or applicants. Any such person or entity shall |
1392 | produce for the commission upon request any document or |
1393 | information that bears any relation to the application. In |
1394 | addition, the applicant shall produce whatever information, |
1395 | documentation, or assurances the commission requires to |
1396 | establish by clear and convincing evidence the adequacy of |
1397 | financial resources. |
1398 | (i) Require or permit a person to file a statement in |
1399 | writing, under oath or otherwise as the commission or its |
1400 | designee requires, as to all the facts and circumstances |
1401 | concerning the matter to be audited, examined, or investigated. |
1402 | (j) Keep accurate and complete records of its proceedings |
1403 | and to certify the records as may be appropriate. |
1404 | (k) Take any other action as may be reasonable or |
1405 | appropriate to enforce this part and rules adopted by the |
1406 | commission. |
1407 | (l) Apply for injunctive or declaratory relief in a court |
1408 | of competent jurisdiction to enforce this part and any rules |
1409 | adopted by the commission. |
1410 | (m) Establish field offices, as deemed necessary by the |
1411 | commission. |
1412 | (2) The Department of Law Enforcement and local law |
1413 | enforcement agencies may investigate any criminal violation of |
1414 | law occurring at a destination resort. Such investigations may |
1415 | be conducted in conjunction with the appropriate state attorney. |
1416 | (3)(a) The commission, the Department of Law Enforcement, |
1417 | and local law enforcement agencies shall have unrestricted |
1418 | access to the limited gaming facility at all times and shall |
1419 | require of each resort licensee strict compliance with the laws |
1420 | of this state relating to the transaction of such business. The |
1421 | commission and the Department of Law Enforcement may: |
1422 | 1. Inspect and examine premises where authorized limited |
1423 | gaming devices are offered for play. |
1424 | 2. Inspect slot machines, other authorized gaming devices, |
1425 | and related equipment and supplies. |
1426 | (b) In addition, the commission may: |
1427 | 1. Collect taxes, assessments, fees, and penalties. |
1428 | 2. Deny, revoke, or suspend a license of, or place |
1429 | conditions on, a licensee who violates any provision of this |
1430 | part, a rule adopted by the commission, or an order of the |
1431 | commission. |
1432 | (4) The commission must revoke or suspend the license of |
1433 | any person who is no longer qualified or who is found, after |
1434 | receiving a license, to have been unqualified at the time of |
1435 | application for the license. |
1436 | (5) This section does not: |
1437 | (a) Prohibit the Department of Law Enforcement or any law |
1438 | enforcement authority whose jurisdiction includes a resort |
1439 | licensee or a supplier licensee from conducting investigations |
1440 | of criminal activities occurring at the facilities of a resort |
1441 | licensee or supplier licensee; |
1442 | (b) Restrict access to the limited gaming facility by the |
1443 | Department of Law Enforcement or any local law enforcement |
1444 | authority whose jurisdiction includes a resort licensee's |
1445 | facility; or |
1446 | (c) Restrict access by the Department of Law Enforcement |
1447 | or a local law enforcement agency to information and records |
1448 | necessary for the investigation of criminal activity which are |
1449 | contained within the facilities of a resort licensee or supplier |
1450 | licensee. |
1451 | Section 17. Section 551.305, Florida Statutes, is created |
1452 | to read: |
1453 | 551.305 Rulemaking.- |
1454 | (1) The commission shall adopt all rules necessary to |
1455 | implement, administer, and regulate limited gaming under this |
1456 | part. The rules must include: |
1457 | (a) The types of limited gaming activities to be conducted |
1458 | and the rules for those games, including any restriction upon |
1459 | the time, place, and structures where limited gaming is |
1460 | authorized. |
1461 | (b) Requirements, procedures, qualifications, and grounds |
1462 | for the issuance, renewal, revocation, suspension, and summary |
1463 | suspension of a resort license, supplier license, or |
1464 | occupational license. |
1465 | (c) Requirements for the disclosure of the complete |
1466 | financial interests of licensees and applicants for licenses. |
1467 | (d) Technical requirements and the qualifications that are |
1468 | necessary to receive a license. |
1469 | (e) Procedures to scientifically test and technically |
1470 | evaluate slot machines and other authorized gaming devices for |
1471 | compliance with this part and the rules adopted by the |
1472 | commission. The commission may contract with an independent |
1473 | testing laboratory to conduct any necessary testing. The |
1474 | independent testing laboratory must have a national reputation |
1475 | for being demonstrably competent and qualified to scientifically |
1476 | test and evaluate slot machines and other authorized gaming |
1477 | devices. An independent testing laboratory may not be owned or |
1478 | controlled by a licensee. The use of an independent testing |
1479 | laboratory for any purpose related to the conduct of slot |
1480 | machine gaming and other authorized gaming by a resort licensee |
1481 | shall be made from a list of laboratories approved by the |
1482 | commission. |
1483 | (f) Procedures relating to limited gaming revenues, |
1484 | including verifying and accounting for such revenues, auditing, |
1485 | and collecting taxes and fees. |
1486 | (g) Requirements for limited gaming equipment, including |
1487 | the types and specifications of all equipment and devices that |
1488 | may be used in limited gaming facilities. |
1489 | (h) Procedures for regulating, managing, and auditing the |
1490 | operation, financial data, and program information relating to |
1491 | limited gaming which allow the commission and the Department of |
1492 | Law Enforcement to audit the operation, financial data, and |
1493 | program information of a resort licensee, as required by the |
1494 | commission or the Department of Law Enforcement, and provide the |
1495 | commission and the Department of Law Enforcement with the |
1496 | ability to monitor, at any time on a real-time basis, wagering |
1497 | patterns, payouts, tax collection, and compliance with any rules |
1498 | adopted by the commission for the regulation and control of |
1499 | limited gaming. Such continuous and complete access, at any time |
1500 | on a real-time basis, shall include the ability of either the |
1501 | commission or the Department of Law Enforcement to suspend play |
1502 | immediately on particular slot machines or other gaming devices |
1503 | if monitoring of the facilities-based computer system indicates |
1504 | possible tampering or manipulation of those slot machines or |
1505 | gaming devices or the ability to suspend play immediately of the |
1506 | entire operation if the tampering or manipulation is of the |
1507 | computer system itself. The commission shall notify the |
1508 | Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Law |
1509 | Enforcement shall notify the commission, as appropriate, |
1510 | whenever there is a suspension of play pursuant this paragraph. |
1511 | The commission and the Department of Law Enforcement shall |
1512 | exchange information that is necessary for, and cooperate in the |
1513 | investigation of, the circumstances requiring suspension of play |
1514 | pursuant to this paragraph. |
1515 | (i) Procedures for requiring each resort licensee at his |
1516 | or her own cost and expense to supply the commission with a bond |
1517 | as required. |
1518 | (j) The requirements for an applicant to demonstrate that |
1519 | it has received conceptual approval for the destination resort |
1520 | proposal from the municipality and county in which the resort |
1521 | will be located. |
1522 | (k) Procedures for requiring licensees to maintain and to |
1523 | provide to the commission records, data, information, or |
1524 | reports, including financial and income records. |
1525 | (l) Procedures to calculate the payout percentages of slot |
1526 | machines. |
1527 | (m) Minimum standards for security of the facilities, |
1528 | including floor plans, security cameras, and other security |
1529 | equipment. |
1530 | (n) The scope and conditions for investigations and |
1531 | inspections into the conduct of limited gaming. |
1532 | (o) The standards and procedures for the seizure without |
1533 | notice or hearing of gaming equipment, supplies, or books and |
1534 | records for the purpose of examination and inspection. |
1535 | (p) Procedures for requiring resort licensees and supplier |
1536 | licensees to implement and establish drug-testing programs for |
1537 | all occupational employees. |
1538 | (q) Procedures and guidelines for the continuous recording |
1539 | of all gaming activities at a limited gaming facility. The |
1540 | commission may require a resort licensee to timely provide all |
1541 | or part of the original recordings pursuant to a schedule. |
1542 | (r) The payment of costs incurred by the commission or any |
1543 | other agencies for investigations or background checks or costs |
1544 | associated with testing limited gaming related equipment, which |
1545 | must be paid by an applicant for a license or a licensee. |
1546 | (s) The levying of fines for violations of this part or |
1547 | any rule adopted by the commission, which fines may not exceed |
1548 | $250,000 per violation arising out of a single transaction. |
1549 | (t) The amount of the application fee for an initial |
1550 | issuance or renewal of an occupational license or a suppliers |
1551 | license, not to exceed $5,000. |
1552 | (u) Any other rules the commission finds necessary for |
1553 | safe, honest, and highly regulated gaming in the state. For |
1554 | purposes of this paragraph, the commission shall consider rules |
1555 | from any other jurisdiction in which gaming is highly regulated, |
1556 | such as New Jersey or Nevada. |
1557 | (v) Any other rule necessary to accomplish the purposes of |
1558 | this part. |
1559 | (2) The commission may at any time adopt emergency rules |
1560 | pursuant to s. 120.54. The Legislature finds that such emergency |
1561 | rulemaking power is necessary for the preservation of the rights |
1562 | and welfare of the people in order to provide additional funds |
1563 | to benefit the public. The Legislature further finds that the |
1564 | unique nature of limited gaming operations requires, from time |
1565 | to time, that the commission respond as quickly as is |
1566 | practicable. Therefore, in adopting such emergency rules, the |
1567 | commission need not make the findings required by s. |
1568 | 120.54(4)(a). Emergency rules adopted under this section are |
1569 | exempt from s. 120.54(4)(c). However, the emergency rules may |
1570 | not remain in effect for more than 180 days except that the |
1571 | commission may renew the emergency rules during the pendency of |
1572 | procedures to adopt permanent rules addressing the subject of |
1573 | the emergency rules. |
1574 | Section 18. Section 551.306, Florida Statutes, is created |
1575 | to read: |
1576 | 551.306 Legislative authority; administration of part.-The |
1577 | regulation of the conduct of limited gaming activity at a resort |
1578 | licensee is preempted to the state and a county, municipality, |
1579 | or other political subdivision of the state may not enact any |
1580 | ordinance relating to limited gaming. Only the department and |
1581 | other authorized state agencies may administer this part and |
1582 | regulate limited gaming, including limited gaming at resort |
1583 | licensees and the assessment of fees or taxes relating to the |
1584 | conduct of limited gaming. |
1585 | Section 19. Section 551.307, Florida Statutes, is created |
1586 | to read: |
1587 | 551.307 Authorization of limited gaming at destination |
1588 | resorts.-Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the |
1589 | commission may award a resort license authorizing limited gaming |
1590 | in a county only if a majority of the electors voting in a |
1591 | countywide referendum have approved the conduct of slot machine |
1592 | gaming as defined in s. 551.102 or a majority of the electors |
1593 | voting in a countywide referendum have passed a referendum |
1594 | allowing for limited gaming. If limited gaming is authorized |
1595 | through the award of a resort license, the resort licensee may |
1596 | possess slot machines and other authorized gaming devices and |
1597 | conduct limited gaming at the licensed location. Notwithstanding |
1598 | any other provision of law, a person who is at least 21 years of |
1599 | age may lawfully participate in authorized games at a facility |
1600 | licensed to possess authorized limited gaming devices and |
1601 | conduct limited gaming or to participate in limited gaming as |
1602 | described in this part. |
1603 | Section 20. Section 551.308, Florida Statutes, is created |
1604 | to read: |
1605 | 551.308 Process for awarding destination resort licenses.- |
1606 | (1) The commission shall by rule use an invitation to |
1607 | negotiate process for determining the award of a resort license. |
1608 | The application, review, and issuance procedures for awarding a |
1609 | license shall be by a process in which applicants rely on forms |
1610 | provided by the commission in response to an invitation to |
1611 | negotiate issued by the commission. The commission shall issue |
1612 | the invitation to negotiate no later than 90 days after the date |
1613 | of the commission's first meeting. |
1614 | (2) Proposals in response to the invitation to negotiate |
1615 | must be received by the commission no later than 90 days after |
1616 | the issuance of the invitation to negotiate. |
1617 | (3) The commission may specify in its invitation to |
1618 | negotiate the county in which the facility would be located. |
1619 | When determining whether to authorize a destination resort |
1620 | located within a specific county or counties, the commission |
1621 | shall hold a public hearing in such county or counties to |
1622 | discuss the proposals and receive public comments on |
1623 | determination of the award of licenses. |
1624 | (4) The commission shall review all complete replies |
1625 | received pursuant to an invitation to negotiate. The commission |
1626 | may select one or more replies with which to commence |
1627 | negotiations after determining which replies are in the best |
1628 | interest of the state based on the selection criteria. The |
1629 | commission shall award or deny a destination resort license |
1630 | within 90 days after the deadline for the submission of a reply. |
1631 | Section 21. Section 551.309, Florida Statutes, is created |
1632 | to read: |
1633 | 551.309 Criteria for the award of a destination resort |
1634 | license.-The commission may award no more than three destination |
1635 | resort licenses. |
1636 | (1) The commission may award a resort license to the |
1637 | applicant of an invitation to negotiate which best serves the |
1638 | interests of the residents of this state. The reply to an |
1639 | invitation to negotiate for a resort license must include an |
1640 | application that demonstrates the applicant's ability to meet |
1641 | the following minimum criteria: |
1642 | (a) The applicant must demonstrate a capacity to increase |
1643 | tourism, generate jobs, provide revenue to the local economy, |
1644 | and provide revenue to the General Revenue Fund. |
1645 | (b) The limited gaming floor in a destination resort may |
1646 | constitute no more than 10 percent of the resort development's |
1647 | total square footage. The resort development's total square |
1648 | footage is the aggregate of the total square footage of the |
1649 | limited gaming facility, the hotel or hotels, convention space, |
1650 | retail facilities, nongaming entertainment facilities, service |
1651 | centers, and office space or administrative areas. |
1652 | (c) The applicant must demonstrate a history of, or a bona |
1653 | fide plan for, community involvement or investment in the |
1654 | community where the resort having a limited gaming facility will |
1655 | be located. |
1656 | (d) The applicant must demonstrate the financial ability |
1657 | to purchase and maintain an adequate surety bond. |
1658 | (e) The applicant must demonstrate that it has adequate |
1659 | capitalization to develop, construct, maintain, and operate the |
1660 | proposed resort having a limited gaming facility in accordance |
1661 | with the requirements of this part and rules adopted by the |
1662 | commission and to responsibly meet its secured and unsecured |
1663 | debt obligations in accordance with its financial and other |
1664 | contractual agreements. |
1665 | (f) The applicant must demonstrate the ability to |
1666 | implement a program to train and employ residents of this state |
1667 | for jobs that will be available at the destination resort, |
1668 | including its ability to implement a program for the training of |
1669 | low-income persons. |
1670 | (g) The commission may, at its discretion, assess the |
1671 | quality of the proposed development's aesthetic appearance in |
1672 | the context of its potential to provide substantial economic |
1673 | benefits to the community and the people of this state, |
1674 | including, but not limited to, its potential to provide |
1675 | substantial employment opportunities. |
1676 | (h) The applicant must demonstrate that it will expend at |
1677 | least $2 billion in new development and construction of the |
1678 | proposed destination resort following the award of a license, |
1679 | excluding any purchase price and costs associated with the |
1680 | acquisition of real property on which to develop the destination |
1681 | resort. Such expenditure must in aggregate be completed within 5 |
1682 | years after the award of any such license. |
1683 | (i) The applicant must demonstrate the ability to generate |
1684 | substantial gross receipts. |
1685 | (2)(a) The commission shall evaluate applications based on |
1686 | the following weighted criteria: |
1687 | 1. Design and location: 35 percent. |
1688 | 2. Management expertise: 10 percent. |
1689 | 3. Speed to market: 35 percent. |
1690 | 4. Financial plan and access to capital: 10 percent. |
1691 | 5. Community plan: 10 percent. |
1692 | (b) The commission shall give preference to those |
1693 | applicants that demonstrate that they meet the following |
1694 | criteria: |
1695 | 1. The roads, water, sanitation, utilities, and related |
1696 | services to the proposed location of the destination resort are |
1697 | adequate and the proposed destination resort will not unduly |
1698 | impact public services, existing transportation infrastructure, |
1699 | consumption of natural resources, and the quality of life |
1700 | enjoyed by residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. |
1701 | 2. The applicant will be able to commence construction as |
1702 | soon after awarding of the resort license as possible, but, in |
1703 | any event, no later than 12 months after the award of the resort |
1704 | license. |
1705 | 3. The destination resort may be located in an empowerment |
1706 | zone or enterprise zone, as those terms are defined by federal |
1707 | and state law. |
1708 | 4. The destination resort will be located in an area in |
1709 | which the unemployment rate in the zip codes immediately |
1710 | surrounding the proposed location is among the highest in the |
1711 | state. |
1712 | 5. The destination resort will include amenities and uses |
1713 | that will allow other state businesses to be included within the |
1714 | destination resort. |
1715 | (3) A resort license may be issued only to persons of good |
1716 | moral character who are at least 21 years of age. A resort |
1717 | license may issued to a corporation only if its officers are of |
1718 | good moral character and at least 21 years of age. |
1719 | (4) A resort license may not be issued to an applicant if |
1720 | the applicant, qualifier, or institutional investor: |
1721 | (a) Has, within the last 5 years, been adjudicated by a |
1722 | court or tribunal for failure to pay income, sales, or gross |
1723 | receipts tax due and payable under any federal, state, or local |
1724 | law, after exhaustion of all appeals or administrative remedies. |
1725 | (b) Has been convicted of a felony under the laws of this |
1726 | state, any other state, or the United States. |
1727 | (c) Has been convicted of any violation under chapter 817 |
1728 | or under a substantially similar law of another jurisdiction. |
1729 | (d) Knowingly submitted false information in the |
1730 | application for the license. |
1731 | (e) Is a member or employee of the commission. |
1732 | (f) Was licensed to own or operate gaming or pari-mutuel |
1733 | facilities in this state or another jurisdiction and that |
1734 | license was revoked. |
1735 | (g) Is an entity that has accepted any wager of money or |
1736 | other consideration on any online gambling activity, including |
1737 | poker, from any state resident since October 13, 2006. However, |
1738 | this prohibition does not disqualify an applicant or |
1739 | subcontractor who accepts online pari-mutuel wagers from a state |
1740 | resident through a legal online pari-mutuel wagering entity |
1741 | authorized in another state. |
1742 | (h) Fails to meet any other criteria for licensure set |
1743 | forth in this part. |
1744 | |
1745 | As used in this subsection, the term "conviction" includes an |
1746 | adjudication of guilt on a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or |
1747 | the forfeiture of a bond when charged with a crime. |
1748 | Section 22. Section 551.310, Florida Statutes, is created |
1749 | to read: |
1750 | 551.310 Application for destination resort license.- |
1751 | (1) APPLICATION.-A reply submitted in response to an |
1752 | invitation to negotiate must include a sworn application in the |
1753 | format prescribed by the commission. The application must |
1754 | include the following information: |
1755 | (a)1. The name, business address, telephone number, social |
1756 | security number, and, where applicable, federal tax |
1757 | identification number of the applicant and each qualifier; and |
1758 | 2. Information, documentation, and assurances concerning |
1759 | financial background and resources as may be required to |
1760 | establish the financial stability, integrity, and responsibility |
1761 | of the applicant. This includes business and personal income and |
1762 | disbursement schedules, tax returns and other reports filed with |
1763 | governmental agencies, and business and personal accounting and |
1764 | check records and ledgers. In addition, each applicant must |
1765 | provide written authorization for the examination of all bank |
1766 | accounts and records as may be deemed necessary by the |
1767 | commission. |
1768 | (b) The identity and, if applicable, the state of |
1769 | incorporation or registration of any business in which the |
1770 | applicant or a qualifier has an equity interest of more than 5 |
1771 | percent. If the applicant or qualifier is a corporation, |
1772 | partnership, or other business entity, the applicant or |
1773 | qualifier must identify any other corporation, partnership, or |
1774 | other business entity in which it has an equity interest of more |
1775 | than 5 percent, including, if applicable, the state of |
1776 | incorporation or registration. |
1777 | (c) Documentation, as required by the commission, that the |
1778 | applicant has received conceptual approval of the destination |
1779 | resort proposal from the municipality and county in which the |
1780 | resort will be located. |
1781 | (d) A statement as to whether the applicant or a qualifier |
1782 | has developed and operated a similar gaming facility within a |
1783 | highly regulated domestic jurisdiction that allows similar forms |
1784 | of development, including a description of the gaming facility, |
1785 | the gaming facility's gross revenue, and the amount of revenue |
1786 | the gaming facility has generated for state and local |
1787 | governments within that jurisdiction. |
1788 | (e) A statement as to whether the applicant or a qualifier |
1789 | has been indicted, convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere |
1790 | to, or forfeited bail for any felony or for a misdemeanor |
1791 | involving gambling, theft, or fraud. The statement must include |
1792 | the date, the name and location of the court, the arresting |
1793 | agency, the prosecuting agency, the case caption, the docket |
1794 | number, the nature of the offense, the disposition of the case, |
1795 | and, if applicable, the location and length of incarceration. |
1796 | (f) A statement as to whether the applicant or a qualifier |
1797 | has ever been granted any license or certificate in any |
1798 | jurisdiction which has been restricted, suspended, revoked, not |
1799 | renewed, or otherwise subjected to discipline. The statement |
1800 | must describe the facts and circumstances concerning that |
1801 | restriction, suspension, revocation, nonrenewal, or discipline, |
1802 | including the licensing authority, the date each action was |
1803 | taken, and an explanation of the circumstances for each |
1804 | disciplinary action. |
1805 | (g) A statement as to whether the applicant or qualifier |
1806 | has, as a principal or a controlling shareholder, within the |
1807 | last 10 years, filed for protection under the Federal Bankruptcy |
1808 | Code or had an involuntary bankruptcy petition filed against it. |
1809 | (h) A statement as to whether the applicant or qualifier |
1810 | has, within the last 5 years, been adjudicated by a court or |
1811 | tribunal for failure to pay any income, sales, or gross receipts |
1812 | tax due and payable under federal, state, or local law, or under |
1813 | the laws of any applicable foreign jurisdiction, after |
1814 | exhaustion of all appeals or administrative remedies. This |
1815 | statement must identify the amount and type of the tax and the |
1816 | time periods involved and must describe the resolution of the |
1817 | nonpayment. |
1818 | (i) A list of the names and titles of any public officials |
1819 | or officers of any unit of state government or of the local |
1820 | government or governments in the county or municipality in which |
1821 | the proposed resort is to be located, and the spouses, parents, |
1822 | and children of those public officials or officers, who, |
1823 | directly or indirectly, own any financial interest in, have any |
1824 | beneficial interest in, are the creditors of, hold any debt |
1825 | instrument issued by the applicant or a qualifier, or hold or |
1826 | have an interest in any contractual or service relationship with |
1827 | the applicant or qualifier. As used in this paragraph, the terms |
1828 | "public official" and "officer" do not include a person who |
1829 | would be listed solely because the person is a member of the |
1830 | Florida National Guard. |
1831 | (j) The name and business telephone number of, and a |
1832 | disclosure of fees paid to any attorney, lobbyist, employee, |
1833 | consultant, or other person who has represented the applicant's |
1834 | interests in the state for 3 years prior to the effective date |
1835 | of this section or who is representing an applicant before the |
1836 | commission during the application process. |
1837 | (k) A description of the applicant's history of and |
1838 | proposed plan for community involvement or investment in the |
1839 | community where the resort having a limited gaming facility |
1840 | would be located. |
1841 | (l) A description of the applicant's proposed resort, |
1842 | including a map documenting the location of the facility within |
1843 | the specific county or counties; a statement regarding the |
1844 | compliance of the applicant with state, regional, and local |
1845 | planning and zoning requirements; a description of the economic |
1846 | benefit to the community in which the facility would be located; |
1847 | the anticipated number of jobs generated by construction of the |
1848 | facility; the anticipated number of employees; a statement |
1849 | regarding how the applicant would comply with federal and state |
1850 | affirmative action guidelines; a projection of admissions or |
1851 | attendance at the limited gaming facility; a projection of gross |
1852 | receipts; and scientific market research pertaining to the |
1853 | proposed facility, if any. |
1854 | (m) Proof that a countywide referendum has been approved |
1855 | by the electors of the county to authorize slot machine gaming |
1856 | as defined in s. 551.102 in the county prior to the application |
1857 | deadline or that proof of a countywide referendum has been |
1858 | approved prior to the application deadline by the electors of |
1859 | the county authorizing limited gaming as defined in this |
1860 | chapter. |
1861 | (n) A schedule or timeframe for completing the resort. |
1862 | (o) A plan for training residents of this state for jobs |
1863 | at the resort. The job-training plan must provide training to |
1864 | enable low-income persons to qualify for jobs at the resort. |
1865 | (p) The identity of each person, association, trust, or |
1866 | corporation or partnership having a direct or indirect equity |
1867 | interest in the applicant of greater than 5 percent. If |
1868 | disclosure of a trust is required under this paragraph, the |
1869 | names and addresses of the beneficiaries of the trust must also |
1870 | be disclosed. If the identity of a corporation must be |
1871 | disclosed, the names and addresses of all stockholders and |
1872 | directors must also be disclosed. If the identity of a |
1873 | partnership must be disclosed, the names and addresses of all |
1874 | partners, both general and limited, must also be disclosed. |
1875 | (q) A destination resort and limited gaming facility |
1876 | development plan and projected investment of $2 billion pursuant |
1877 | to s. 551.309. |
1878 | (r) The fingerprints of all officers or directors of the |
1879 | applicant and qualifiers, and any persons exercising operational |
1880 | or managerial control of the applicant, as determined by rule of |
1881 | the commission, for a criminal history record check. |
1882 | (s) A statement outlining the organization's diversity |
1883 | plan. |
1884 | (t) A listing of all gaming licenses and permits the |
1885 | applicant or qualifier currently possesses. |
1886 | (u) A listing of former or inactive officers, directors, |
1887 | partners, and trustees. |
1888 | (v) A listing of all affiliated business entities or |
1889 | holding companies, including nongaming interests. |
1890 | (w) Any other information the commission may deem |
1891 | appropriate or require during the application process as |
1892 | provided by rule. |
1893 | (2) DISCRETION TO REQUIRE INFORMATION.-Notwithstanding any |
1894 | other provision of law, the commission is the sole authority for |
1895 | determining the information or documentation that must be |
1896 | included in an application for a resort license or in an |
1897 | application to renew a resort license. Such documentation and |
1898 | information may relate to: demographics, education, work |
1899 | history, personal background, criminal history, finances, |
1900 | business information, complaints, inspections, investigations, |
1901 | discipline, bonding, photographs, performance periods, |
1902 | reciprocity, local government approvals, supporting |
1903 | documentation, periodic reporting requirements, and fingerprint |
1904 | requirements. |
1905 | (3) DUTY TO SUPPLEMENT APPLICATION.-The application shall |
1906 | be supplemented as needed to reflect any material change in any |
1907 | circumstance or condition stated in the application which takes |
1908 | place between the initial filing of the application and the |
1909 | final grant or denial of the license. Any submission required to |
1910 | be in writing may otherwise be required by the commission to be |
1911 | made by electronic means. |
1912 | (4) APPLICATION FEES.- |
1913 | (a) The application for a resort license must be submitted |
1914 | along with a nonrefundable application fee of $1 million to be |
1915 | used by the commission to defray costs associated with the |
1916 | review and investigation of the application and to conduct a |
1917 | background investigation of the applicant and each qualifier. If |
1918 | the cost of the review and investigation exceeds $1 million, the |
1919 | applicant must pay the additional amount to the commission |
1920 | within 30 days after the receipt of a request for an additional |
1921 | payment. |
1922 | (b) The application for a destination resort license must |
1923 | be submitted with a one-time licensing fee of $50 million. If |
1924 | the commission denies the application, the commission must |
1925 | refund the licensing fee within 30 days after the denial of the |
1926 | application. If the applicant withdraws the application after |
1927 | the application deadline established by the commission, the |
1928 | commission must refund 80 percent of the licensing fee within 30 |
1929 | days after the application is withdrawn. |
1930 | Section 23. Section 551.311, Florida Statutes, is created |
1931 | to read: |
1932 | 551.311 Incomplete applications.- |
1933 | (1) An incomplete application for a resort license is |
1934 | grounds for the denial of the application. |
1935 | (2)(a) If the commission determines that an application |
1936 | for a resort license is incomplete, the executive director shall |
1937 | immediately provide written notice to the applicant of the |
1938 | incomplete items. The applicant may then request an informal |
1939 | conference with the executive director or his or her designee to |
1940 | discuss the application. |
1941 | (b) The executive director may provide the applicant an |
1942 | extension of 30 days to complete the application following the |
1943 | date of the informal conference. If the executive director finds |
1944 | that the application has not been completed within the |
1945 | extension, the applicant may appeal the finding to the |
1946 | commission. During an extension or the pendency of an appeal to |
1947 | the commission, the award of resort licenses in the applicable |
1948 | county is stayed. |
1949 | Section 24. Section 551.312, Florida Statutes, is created |
1950 | to read: |
1951 | 551.312 Institutional investors as qualifiers.- |
1952 | (1)(a) An application for a resort license that has an |
1953 | institutional investor as a qualifier need not contain |
1954 | information relating to the institutional investor, other than |
1955 | the identity of the investor, if the institutional investor |
1956 | holds less than 15 percent of the equity or debt securities and |
1957 | files a certified statement that the institutional investor does |
1958 | not intend to influence or affect the affairs of the applicant |
1959 | or an affiliate of the applicant and that its holdings of |
1960 | securities of the applicant or affiliate were purchased for |
1961 | investment purposes only. |
1962 | (b) The commission may limit the application requirements |
1963 | as provided in this subsection for an institutional investor |
1964 | that is a qualifier and that holds 5 percent or more of the |
1965 | equity or debt securities of an applicant or affiliate of the |
1966 | applicant upon a showing of good cause and if the conditions |
1967 | specified in paragraph (a) are satisfied. |
1968 | (2) An institutional investor that is exempt from the full |
1969 | application requirements under this section and that |
1970 | subsequently intends to influence or affect the affairs of the |
1971 | issuer must first notify the commission of its intent and file |
1972 | an application containing all of the information that would have |
1973 | been required of the institutional investor in the application |
1974 | for a resort license. The commission may deny the application if |
1975 | it determines that granting the application will impair the |
1976 | financial stability of the licensee or impair the ability of the |
1977 | licensee to comply with its development plans or other plans |
1978 | submitted to the commission by the applicant or licensee. |
1979 | (3) An applicant for a license or a resort licensee or |
1980 | affiliate shall immediately notify the commission of any |
1981 | information concerning an institutional investor holding its |
1982 | equity or debt securities which may disqualify an institutional |
1983 | investor from having a direct or indirect interest in the |
1984 | applicant or licensee, and the commission may require the |
1985 | institutional investor to file all information that would have |
1986 | been required of the institutional investor in the application |
1987 | for a license. |
1988 | (4) If the commission finds that an institutional investor |
1989 | that is a qualifier fails to comply with the requirements of |
1990 | subsection (1) or, if at any time the commission finds that by |
1991 | reason of the extent or nature of its holdings an institutional |
1992 | investor is in a position to exercise a substantial impact upon |
1993 | the controlling interests of a licensee, the commission may |
1994 | require the institutional investor to file an application |
1995 | containing all of information that would have been required of |
1996 | the institutional investor in the application for a license. |
1997 | (5) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(b), an institutional |
1998 | investor may vote on all matters that are put to the vote of the |
1999 | outstanding security holders of the applicant or licensee. |
2000 | Section 25. Section 551.313, Florida Statutes, is created |
2001 | to read: |
2002 | 551.313 Lenders and underwriters; exemption as |
2003 | qualifiers.-A bank, lending institution, or underwriter in |
2004 | connection with any bank or lending institution that, in the |
2005 | ordinary course of business, makes a loan to, or holds a |
2006 | security interest in, a licensee or applicant, a supplier |
2007 | licensee or applicant or its subsidiary, or direct or indirect |
2008 | parent company of any such bank, lending institution, or |
2009 | underwriter is not a qualifier and is not required to be |
2010 | licensed. |
2011 | Section 26. Section 551.314, Florida Statutes, is created |
2012 | to read: |
2013 | 551.314 Conditions for a resort license.-As a condition to |
2014 | licensure and to maintain continuing authority, a resort |
2015 | licensee must: |
2016 | (1) Comply with this part and the rules of the department. |
2017 | (2) Allow the department and the Department of Law |
2018 | Enforcement unrestricted access to and right of inspection of |
2019 | facilities of the licensee in which any activity relative to the |
2020 | conduct of gaming is conducted. |
2021 | (3) Complete the resort in accordance with the plans and |
2022 | timeframe proposed to the commission in its application, unless |
2023 | an extension is granted by the commission. The commission may |
2024 | grant such an extension, not to exceed 1 year after the original |
2025 | planned completion date, upon good cause shown by the licensee. |
2026 | (4) Ensure that the facilities-based computer system that |
2027 | the licensee will use for operational and accounting functions |
2028 | of the facility is specifically structured to facilitate |
2029 | regulatory oversight. The facilities-based computer system shall |
2030 | be designed to provide the department and the Department of Law |
2031 | Enforcement with the ability to monitor, at any time on a real- |
2032 | time basis, the wagering patterns, payouts, tax collection, and |
2033 | such other operations as necessary to determine whether the |
2034 | facility is in compliance with statutory provisions and rules |
2035 | adopted by the department for the regulation and control of |
2036 | gaming. The department and the Department of Law Enforcement |
2037 | shall have complete and continuous access to this system. Such |
2038 | access shall include the ability of either the department or the |
2039 | Department of Law Enforcement to suspend play immediately on |
2040 | particular slot machines or gaming devices if monitoring of the |
2041 | system indicates possible tampering or manipulation of those |
2042 | slot machines or gaming devices or the ability to suspend play |
2043 | immediately of the entire operation if the tampering or |
2044 | manipulation is of the computer system itself. The computer |
2045 | system shall be reviewed and approved by the department to |
2046 | ensure necessary access, security, and functionality. However, |
2047 | neither the commission nor the Department of Law Enforcement |
2048 | shall have the ability to alter any data. The department may |
2049 | adopt rules to provide for the approval process. |
2050 | (5) Ensure that each game, slot machine, or other gaming |
2051 | device is protected from manipulation or tampering that may |
2052 | affect the random probabilities of winning plays. The department |
2053 | or the Department of Law Enforcement may suspend play upon |
2054 | reasonable suspicion of any manipulation or tampering. If play |
2055 | has been suspended on any game, slot machine, or other gaming |
2056 | device, the department or the Department of Law Enforcement may |
2057 | conduct an examination to determine whether the game, machine, |
2058 | or other gaming device has been tampered with or manipulated and |
2059 | whether the game, machine, or other gaming device should be |
2060 | returned to operation. |
2061 | (6) Submit a security plan, including the facilities' |
2062 | floor plans, the locations of security cameras, and a listing of |
2063 | all security equipment that is capable of observing and |
2064 | electronically recording activities being conducted in the |
2065 | facilities of the licensee. The security plan must meet the |
2066 | minimum security requirements as determined by the department |
2067 | and be implemented before the operation of gaming. The |
2068 | licensee's facilities must adhere to the security plan at all |
2069 | times. Any changes to the security plan must be submitted by the |
2070 | licensee to the department prior to implementation. The |
2071 | department shall furnish copies of the security plan and changes |
2072 | in the plan to the Department of Law Enforcement. |
2073 | (7) Create and file with the commission a written policy |
2074 | for: |
2075 | (a) Creating opportunities to purchase from vendors in |
2076 | this state. |
2077 | (b) Creating opportunities for the employment of residents |
2078 | of this state. |
2079 | (c) Ensuring opportunities for obtaining construction |
2080 | services from residents and vendors in this state. |
2081 | (d) Ensuring that opportunities for employment are offered |
2082 | on an equal, nondiscriminatory basis. |
2083 | (e) Training employees on responsible gaming and working |
2084 | with a compulsive or addictive gambling prevention program. |
2085 | (f) Implementing a drug-testing program for each |
2086 | occupational licensee that includes, but is not limited to, |
2087 | requiring such person to sign an agreement that he or she |
2088 | understands that the resort is a drug-free workplace. |
2089 | (g) Using the Internet-based job-listing system of the |
2090 | Department of Economic Opportunity in advertising employment |
2091 | opportunities. |
2092 | (h) Ensuring that the payout percentage of each slot |
2093 | machine is at least 85 percent. |
2094 | (8) File with the department detailed documentation of the |
2095 | applicant's, its affiliates', or any holding company's history |
2096 | of using labor in any jurisdiction that would fall outside of |
2097 | ages defined in chapter 450. |
2098 | (9) Keep and maintain permanent daily records of its |
2099 | limited gaming operations and maintain such records for a period |
2100 | of not less than 5 years. These records must include all |
2101 | financial transactions and contain sufficient detail to |
2102 | determine compliance with the requirements of this part. All |
2103 | records shall be available for audit and inspection by the |
2104 | department, the Department of Law Enforcement, or other law |
2105 | enforcement agencies during the resort licensee's regular |
2106 | business hours. |
2107 | Section 27. Section 551.315, Florida Statutes, is created |
2108 | to read: |
2109 | 551.315 Surety bond.-A destination resort licensee must, |
2110 | at its own cost and expense, before the license is delivered, |
2111 | give a bond in the penal sum to be determined by the department |
2112 | payable to the Governor of the state and his or her successors |
2113 | in office. The bond must be issued by a surety or sureties |
2114 | approved by the department and the Chief Financial Officer and |
2115 | the bond must be conditioned on the licensee faithfully making |
2116 | the required payments to the Chief Financial Officer in his or |
2117 | her capacity as treasurer of the commission, keeping the |
2118 | licensee's books and records and make reports as provided, and |
2119 | conducting its limited gaming activities in conformity with this |
2120 | part. The department shall fix the amount of the bond at the |
2121 | total amount of annual license fees and the taxes estimated to |
2122 | become due as determined by the department. In lieu of a bond, |
2123 | an applicant or licensee may deposit with the department a like |
2124 | amount of funds, a savings certificate, a certificate of |
2125 | deposit, an investment certificate, or a letter of credit from a |
2126 | bank, savings bank, credit union, or savings and loan |
2127 | association situated in this state which meets the requirements |
2128 | set for that purpose by the Chief Financial Officer. If security |
2129 | is provided in the form of a savings certificate, a certificate |
2130 | of deposit, or an investment certificate, the certificate must |
2131 | state that the amount is unavailable for withdrawal except upon |
2132 | order of the department. The department may review the bond or |
2133 | other security for adequacy and require adjustments, including |
2134 | increasing the amount of the bond and other security. The |
2135 | department may adopt rules to administer this section and |
2136 | establish guidelines for such bonds or other securities. |
2137 | Section 28. Section 551.316, Florida Statutes, is created |
2138 | to read: |
2139 | 551.316 Conduct of limited gaming.- |
2140 | (1) Limited gaming may be conducted by a resort licensee, |
2141 | subject to the following: |
2142 | (a) The site of the limited gaming facility is limited to |
2143 | the resort licensee's site location as approved by the |
2144 | commission. |
2145 | (b) The department's agents and employees may enter and |
2146 | inspect a limited gaming facility or other facilities relating |
2147 | to a resort licensee's gaming operations at any time for the |
2148 | purpose of determining whether the licensee is in compliance |
2149 | with this part. |
2150 | (c) A resort licensee may lease or purchase gaming |
2151 | devices, equipment, or supplies customarily used in conducting |
2152 | gaming only from a licensed supplier. |
2153 | (d) A resort licensee may not permit any form of wagering |
2154 | on games except as permitted by this part. |
2155 | (e) A resort licensee may receive wagers only from a |
2156 | person present in the limited gaming facility. |
2157 | (f) A resort licensee may not permit wagering using money |
2158 | or other negotiable currency except for wagering on slot |
2159 | machines. |
2160 | (g) A resort licensee may not permit a person who has not |
2161 | attained 21 years of age to engage in gaming activity or remain |
2162 | in an area of a limited gaming facility where gaming is being |
2163 | conducted, except for a limited gaming employee of the resort |
2164 | licensee who is at least 18 years of age. |
2165 | (h) A resort licensee may not sell or distribute tokens, |
2166 | chips, or electronic cards used to make wagers outside the |
2167 | limited gaming facility. The tokens, chips, or electronic cards |
2168 | may be purchased by means of an agreement under which the |
2169 | licensee extends credit to a wagerer. The tokens, chips, or |
2170 | electronic cards may be used only for the purpose of making |
2171 | wagers on games within a limited gaming facility. |
2172 | (i) A resort licensee may not conduct business with a |
2173 | junket enterprise, except for a junket operator employed full |
2174 | time by that licensee. |
2175 | (j) All gaming activities must be conducted in accordance |
2176 | with department rules. |
2177 | (k) Limited gaming may not be conducted by a resort |
2178 | licensee until the resort is completed according to the proposal |
2179 | approved by the commission. |
2180 | (2) A limited gaming facility may operate 24 hours per |
2181 | day, every day of the year. |
2182 | (3) A resort licensee may set the minimum and maximum |
2183 | wagers on all games. |
2184 | (4) A resort licensee shall give preference in employment, |
2185 | reemployment, promotion, and retention to veterans and to the |
2186 | persons included under s. 295.07(1) who possess the minimum |
2187 | qualifications necessary to perform the duties of the positions |
2188 | involved. |
2189 | (5) A resort licensee, its affiliates, directors, and |
2190 | employees shall be subject to all applicable federal, state, and |
2191 | local laws. Such licensees, affiliates, directors, and employees |
2192 | shall subject themselves to jurisdiction of the Federal |
2193 | Government and the government of this state and acceptance of a |
2194 | license shall be considered an affirmative waiver of extradition |
2195 | to the United States from a foreign country. |
2196 | (6) The department shall renew a resort license if: |
2197 | (a) The licensee has demonstrated an effort to increase |
2198 | tourism, generate jobs, provide revenue to the local economy, |
2199 | and provide revenue to the state General Revenue Fund. |
2200 | (b) The department has not suspended or revoked the |
2201 | license of the licensee. |
2202 | (c) The licensee continues to satisfy all the requirements |
2203 | of the initial application for licensure. |
2204 | Section 29. Section 551.318, Florida Statutes, is created |
2205 | to read: |
2206 | 551.318 License fee; tax rate; disposition.- |
2207 | (1) LICENSE FEE.-On the anniversary date of the issuance |
2208 | of the initial resort license and annually thereafter, the |
2209 | licensee must pay to the department a nonrefundable annual |
2210 | license fee of $2 million. The license shall be renewed |
2211 | annually, unless the department has revoked the license for a |
2212 | violation of this part or rule of the department. The license |
2213 | fee shall be deposited into the Destination Resort Trust Fund to |
2214 | be used by the department and the Department of Law Enforcement |
2215 | for investigations, regulation of limited gaming, and |
2216 | enforcement of this part. |
2217 | (2) GROSS RECEIPTS TAX.- |
2218 | (a) Each resort licensee shall pay a gross receipts tax on |
2219 | its gross receipts to the state. Upon completion of the resort |
2220 | and before limited gaming may be conducted, the resort licensee |
2221 | must submit proof, as required by the commission, of the total |
2222 | investment made in the construction of the resort. Upon |
2223 | submission of this information, the gross receipts tax rate |
2224 | shall be 10 percent of the gross receipts. |
2225 | (b) The gross receipts tax is in lieu of any other state |
2226 | taxes on gross or adjusted gross receipts of a resort licensee. |
2227 | (3) TAX PROCEEDS.- |
2228 | (a) The gross receipts tax shall be deposited into the |
2229 | Destination Resort Trust Fund and shall be used to fund the |
2230 | operating costs of the department pursuant to appropriations by |
2231 | the Legislature. |
2232 | (b) On June 30 of each year, all unappropriated funds in |
2233 | excess of $5 million shall be deposited into the General Revenue |
2234 | Fund. |
2235 | Section 30. Section 551.319, Florida Statutes, is created |
2236 | to read: |
2237 | 551.319 Fingerprint requirements.-Any fingerprints |
2238 | required to be taken under this part must be taken in a manner |
2239 | approved by, and shall be submitted electronically by the |
2240 | department to, the Department of Law Enforcement. The Department |
2241 | of Law Enforcement shall submit the results of the state and |
2242 | national records check to the department. The department shall |
2243 | consider the results of the state and national records check in |
2244 | evaluating an application for any license. |
2245 | (1) The cost of processing fingerprints and conducting a |
2246 | criminal history record check shall be borne by the applicant. |
2247 | The Department of Law Enforcement may submit a monthly invoice |
2248 | to the department for the cost of processing the fingerprints |
2249 | submitted. |
2250 | (2) All fingerprints submitted to the Department of Law |
2251 | Enforcement pursuant to this part shall be retained by the |
2252 | Department of Law Enforcement and entered into the statewide |
2253 | automated fingerprint identification system as authorized by s. |
2254 | 943.05(2)(b) and shall be available for all purposes and uses |
2255 | authorized for arrest fingerprint cards entered into the |
2256 | statewide automated fingerprint identification system pursuant |
2257 | to s. 943.051. |
2258 | (3) The Department of Law Enforcement shall search all |
2259 | arrest fingerprints received pursuant to s. 943.051, against the |
2260 | fingerprints retained in the statewide automated fingerprint |
2261 | identification system. Any arrest record that is identified with |
2262 | the retained fingerprints of a person subject to the criminal |
2263 | history screening under this part shall be reported to the |
2264 | department. Each licensee shall pay a fee to the department for |
2265 | the cost of retention of the fingerprints and the ongoing |
2266 | searches under this subsection. The department shall forward the |
2267 | payment to the Department of Law Enforcement. The amount of the |
2268 | fee to be imposed for performing these searches and the |
2269 | procedures for the retention of licensee fingerprints shall be |
2270 | as established by rule of the Department of Law Enforcement. The |
2271 | department shall inform the Department of Law Enforcement of any |
2272 | change in the license status of licensees whose fingerprints are |
2273 | retained under subsection (2). |
2274 | (4) The department shall request the Department of Law |
2275 | Enforcement to forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of |
2276 | Investigation for a national criminal history records check |
2277 | every 3 years following issuance of a license. If the |
2278 | fingerprints of a person who is licensed have not been retained |
2279 | by the Department of Law Enforcement, the person must file |
2280 | another set of fingerprints. The department shall collect the |
2281 | fees for the cost of the national criminal history record check |
2282 | under this subsection and shall forward the payment to the |
2283 | Department of Law Enforcement. The cost of processing |
2284 | fingerprints and conducting a criminal history record check |
2285 | under this subsection shall be borne by the licensee or |
2286 | applicant. The Department of Law Enforcement may submit an |
2287 | invoice to the department for the fingerprints submitted each |
2288 | month. Under penalty of perjury, each person who is licensed or |
2289 | who is fingerprinted as required by this section must agree to |
2290 | inform the department within 48 hours if he or she is convicted |
2291 | of or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any |
2292 | disqualifying offense, regardless of adjudication. |
2293 | Section 31. Section 551.321, Florida Statutes, is created |
2294 | to read: |
2295 | 551.321 Supplier licenses.- |
2296 | (1) A person must have a supplier license in order to |
2297 | furnish on a regular or continuing basis to a resort licensee or |
2298 | an applicant for a resort license gaming equipment, devices, or |
2299 | supplies or other goods or services regarding the operation of |
2300 | limited gaming at the facility. |
2301 | (2) An applicant for a supplier license must apply to the |
2302 | department on forms adopted by the department by rule. The |
2303 | licensing fee for the initial and annual renewal of the license |
2304 | shall be a scale of fees determined by rule of the commission |
2305 | based on the type of service provided by the supplier but may |
2306 | not exceed $25,000. |
2307 | (3) An applicant for a supplier license must include in |
2308 | the application the fingerprints of the persons identified by |
2309 | department rule for the processing of state and national |
2310 | criminal history record checks. |
2311 | (4)(a) An applicant for a supplier license is not eligible |
2312 | for licensure if: |
2313 | 1. A person for whom fingerprinting is required under |
2314 | subsection (3) has been convicted of a felony under the laws of |
2315 | this state, any other state, or the United States; |
2316 | 2. The applicant knowingly submitted false information in |
2317 | the application for a supplier license; |
2318 | 3. The applicant is a member of the commission or an |
2319 | employee of the department; |
2320 | 4. The applicant is not a natural person and an officer, |
2321 | director, or managerial employee of that person is a person |
2322 | described in subparagraphs 1.-3.; |
2323 | 5. The applicant is not a natural person and an employee |
2324 | of the applicant participates in the management or operation of |
2325 | limited gaming authorized under this part; or |
2326 | 6. The applicant has had a license to own or operate a |
2327 | resort facility or pari-mutuel facility in this state, or a |
2328 | similar license in any other jurisdiction, revoked. |
2329 | (b) The department may revoke a supplier license at any |
2330 | time it determines that the licensee no longer satisfies the |
2331 | eligibility requirements in this subsection. |
2332 | (5) The department may deny an application for a supplier |
2333 | license for any person who: |
2334 | (a) Is not qualified to perform the duties required of a |
2335 | licensee; |
2336 | (b) Fails to disclose information or knowingly submits |
2337 | false information in the application; |
2338 | (c) Has violated this part or rules of the department; or |
2339 | (d) Has had a gaming-related license or application |
2340 | suspended, restricted, revoked, or denied for misconduct in any |
2341 | other jurisdiction. |
2342 | (6) A supplier licensee shall: |
2343 | (a) Furnish to the department a list of all gaming |
2344 | equipment, devices, and supplies it offers for sale or lease in |
2345 | connection with limited gaming authorized in this part; |
2346 | (b) Keep books and records documenting the furnishing of |
2347 | gaming equipment, devices, and supplies to resort licensees |
2348 | separate and distinct from any other business that the supplier |
2349 | operates; |
2350 | (c) File quarterly returns with the department listing all |
2351 | sales or leases of gaming equipment, devices, or supplies to |
2352 | resort licensees; |
2353 | (d) Permanently affix its name to all gaming equipment, |
2354 | devices, or supplies sold or leased to licensees; and |
2355 | (e) File an annual report listing its inventories of |
2356 | gaming equipment, devices, and supplies, including the locations |
2357 | of such equipment. |
2358 | (7) All gaming devices, equipment, or supplies furnished |
2359 | by a licensed supplier must conform to standards adopted by |
2360 | department rule. |
2361 | (8)(a) The department may suspend, revoke, or restrict the |
2362 | supplier license of a licensee who: |
2363 | 1. Violates this part or the rules of the department; or |
2364 | 2. Defaults on the payment of any obligation or debt due |
2365 | to this state or a county. |
2366 | (b) The department must revoke the supplier license of a |
2367 | licensee for any cause that, if known to the department, would |
2368 | have disqualified the applicant from receiving a license. |
2369 | (9) A supplier licensee may repair gaming equipment, |
2370 | devices, or supplies in a facility owned or leased by the |
2371 | licensee. |
2372 | (10) Gaming devices, equipment, or supplies owned by a |
2373 | supplier licensee which are used in an unauthorized gaming |
2374 | operation shall be forfeited to the county where the equipment |
2375 | is found. |
2376 | (11) The department may revoke the license or deny the |
2377 | application for a supplier license of a person who fails to |
2378 | comply with this section. |
2379 | (12) A person who knowingly makes a false statement on an |
2380 | application for a supplier license commits a misdemeanor of the |
2381 | first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. |
2382 | 775.083. |
2383 | Section 32. Section 551.322, Florida Statutes, is created |
2384 | to read: |
2385 | 551.322 Occupational licenses.- |
2386 | (1) The Legislature finds that, due to the nature of their |
2387 | employment, some gaming employees require heightened state |
2388 | scrutiny, including licensing and criminal history record |
2389 | checks. |
2390 | (2) Any person who desires to be a gaming employee and has |
2391 | a bona fide offer of employment from a licensed gaming entity |
2392 | shall apply to the department for an occupational license. A |
2393 | person may not be employed as a gaming employee unless that |
2394 | person holds an appropriate occupational license issued under |
2395 | this section. The department may adopt rules to reclassify a |
2396 | category of nongaming employees or gaming employees upon a |
2397 | finding that the reclassification is in the public interest and |
2398 | consistent with the objectives of this part. |
2399 | (3) An applicant for an occupational license must apply to |
2400 | the department on forms adopted by the department by rule. An |
2401 | occupational license is valid for 4 years following issuance. |
2402 | The application must be accompanied by the licensing fee set by |
2403 | the department. The licensing fee may not exceed $250 for an |
2404 | employee of a resort licensee. |
2405 | (a) The applicant shall set forth in the application |
2406 | whether the applicant: |
2407 | 1. Has been issued a gaming-related license in any |
2408 | jurisdiction. |
2409 | 2. Has been issued a gaming-related license in any other |
2410 | jurisdiction under any other name and, if so, the name and the |
2411 | applicant's age at the time of licensure. |
2412 | 3. Has had a permit or license issued by another |
2413 | jurisdiction suspended, restricted, or revoked and, if so, for |
2414 | what period of time. |
2415 | (b) An applicant for an occupational license must include |
2416 | his or her fingerprints in the application. |
2417 | (4) To be eligible for an occupational license, an |
2418 | applicant must: |
2419 | (a) Be at least 21 years of age to perform any function |
2420 | directly relating to limited gaming by patrons; |
2421 | (b) Be at least 18 years of age to perform nongaming |
2422 | functions; |
2423 | (c) Not have been convicted of a felony or a crime |
2424 | involving dishonesty or moral turpitude in any jurisdiction; and |
2425 | (d) Meet the standards for the occupational license as |
2426 | provided in department rules. |
2427 | (5) The department must deny an application for an |
2428 | occupational license for any person who: |
2429 | (a) Is not qualified to perform the duties required of a |
2430 | licensee; |
2431 | (b) Fails to disclose or knowingly submits false |
2432 | information in the application; |
2433 | (c) Has violated this part; or |
2434 | (d) Has had a gaming-related license or application |
2435 | suspended, revoked, or denied in any other jurisdiction. |
2436 | (6)(a) The department may suspend, revoke, or restrict the |
2437 | occupational license of a licensee: |
2438 | 1. Who violates this part or the rules of the department; |
2439 | 2. Who defaults on the payment of any obligation or debt |
2440 | due to this state or a county; or |
2441 | 3. For any just cause. |
2442 | (b) The department shall revoke the occupational license |
2443 | of a licensee for any cause that, if known to the department, |
2444 | would have disqualified the applicant from receiving a license. |
2445 | (7) Any training provided for an occupational licensee may |
2446 | be conducted in the facility of a resort licensee or at a school |
2447 | with which the resort licensee has entered into an agreement for |
2448 | that purpose. |
2449 | (8) A licensed travel agent whose commission or |
2450 | compensation from a licensee is derived solely from the price of |
2451 | the transportation or lodging arranged for by the travel agent |
2452 | is not required to have an occupational license. |
2453 | (9) A person who knowingly makes a false statement on an |
2454 | application for an occupational license commits a misdemeanor of |
2455 | the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. |
2456 | 775.083. |
2457 | Section 33. Section 551.323, Florida Statutes, is created |
2458 | to read: |
2459 | 551.323 Temporary supplier license; temporary occupational |
2460 | license.- |
2461 | (1) Upon the written request of an applicant for a |
2462 | supplier license or an occupational license, the executive |
2463 | director shall issue a temporary license to the applicant and |
2464 | permit the applicant to undertake employment with or provide |
2465 | gaming equipment, devices, or supplies or other goods or |
2466 | services to a resort licensee or an applicant for a resort |
2467 | license if: |
2468 | (a) The applicant has submitted a completed application, |
2469 | an application fee, all required disclosure forms, and other |
2470 | required written documentation and materials; |
2471 | (b) A preliminary review of the application and the |
2472 | criminal history record check does not reveal that the applicant |
2473 | or a person subject to a criminal history record check has been |
2474 | convicted of a crime that would require denial of the |
2475 | application; |
2476 | (c) A deficiency does not appear to exist in the |
2477 | application which may require denial of the application; and |
2478 | (d) The applicant has an offer of employment from, or an |
2479 | agreement to begin providing gaming devices, equipment, or |
2480 | supplies or other goods and services to, a resort licensee or an |
2481 | applicant for a resort license, or the applicant for a temporary |
2482 | license shows good cause for being granted a temporary license. |
2483 | (2) An initial temporary occupational license or |
2484 | supplier's license may not be valid for more than 90 days; |
2485 | however, a temporary occupational license may be renewed one |
2486 | time for an additional 90 days. |
2487 | (3) An applicant who receives a temporary license may |
2488 | undertake employment with or supply a resort licensee with |
2489 | gaming devices, equipment, or supplies or other goods or |
2490 | services until a license is issued or denied or until the |
2491 | temporary license expires or is suspended or revoked. |
2492 | Section 34. Section 551.325, Florida Statutes, is created |
2493 | to read: |
2494 | 551.325 Quarterly report.-The commission shall file |
2495 | quarterly reports with the Governor, the President of the |
2496 | Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives covering |
2497 | the previous fiscal quarter. Each report must include: |
2498 | (1) A statement of receipts and disbursements related to |
2499 | limited gaming. |
2500 | (2) A summary of disciplinary actions taken by the |
2501 | department. |
2502 | (3) Any additional information and recommendations that |
2503 | the department believes may improve the regulation of limited |
2504 | gaming or increase the economic benefits of limited gaming to |
2505 | this state. |
2506 | Section 35. Section 551.327, Florida Statutes, is created |
2507 | to read: |
2508 | 551.327 Resolution of disputes between licensees and |
2509 | wagerers.- |
2510 | (1)(a) The licensee must immediately notify the department |
2511 | of a dispute whenever a resort licensee has a dispute with a |
2512 | wagerer which is not resolved to the satisfaction of the patron |
2513 | if the amount disputed is $500 or more and involves: |
2514 | 1. Alleged winnings, alleged losses, or the award or |
2515 | distribution of cash, prizes, benefits, tickets, or any other |
2516 | item or items in a game, tournament, contest, drawing, |
2517 | promotion, race, or similar activity or event; or |
2518 | 2. The manner in which a game, tournament, contest, |
2519 | drawing, promotion, race, or similar activity or event was |
2520 | conducted. |
2521 | (b) If the dispute involves an amount less than $500, the |
2522 | licensee must immediately notify the wagerer of his or her right |
2523 | to file a complaint with the department. |
2524 | (2) Upon notice of a dispute or receipt of a complaint, |
2525 | the department shall conduct any investigation it deems |
2526 | necessary and may order the licensee to make a payment to the |
2527 | wagerer upon a finding that the licensee is liable for the |
2528 | disputed amount. The decision of the department is effective on |
2529 | the date the aggrieved party receives notice of the decision. |
2530 | Notice of the decision is deemed sufficient if it is mailed to |
2531 | the last known address of the licensee and the wagerer. The |
2532 | notice is deemed to have been received by the resort licensee or |
2533 | the wagerer 5 days after it is deposited with the United States |
2534 | Postal Service with postage prepaid. |
2535 | (3) The failure of a resort licensee to notify the |
2536 | department of the dispute or the wagerer of the right to file a |
2537 | complaint is grounds for disciplinary action. |
2538 | (4) Gaming-related disputes may only be resolved by the |
2539 | department and are not under the jurisdiction of state courts. |
2540 | (5) This section may not be construed to deny a wagerer an |
2541 | opportunity to make a claim in state court for nongaming-related |
2542 | issues. |
2543 | Section 36. Section 551.328, Florida Statutes, is created |
2544 | to read: |
2545 | 551.328 Enforcement of credit instruments.- |
2546 | (1) A credit instrument and the debt that instrument |
2547 | represents are valid and may be enforced by legal process. |
2548 | (2) A resort licensee may accept an incomplete credit |
2549 | instrument that is signed by the patron and states the amount of |
2550 | the debt in numbers and may complete the instrument as is |
2551 | necessary for the instrument to be presented for payment. |
2552 | (3) A resort licensee may accept a credit instrument that |
2553 | is payable to an affiliate or may complete a credit instrument |
2554 | payable to an affiliate if the credit instrument otherwise |
2555 | complies with this section and the records of the affiliate |
2556 | pertaining to the credit instrument are made available to the |
2557 | department upon request. |
2558 | (4) A resort licensee may accept a credit instrument |
2559 | before, during, or after the patron incurs the debt. The credit |
2560 | instrument and the debt that the instrument represents are |
2561 | enforceable without regard to whether the credit instrument was |
2562 | accepted before, during, or after the incurring of the debt. |
2563 | (5) This section does not prohibit the establishment of an |
2564 | account by a deposit of cash, recognized traveler's check, or |
2565 | any other instrument that is equivalent to cash. |
2566 | (6) If a credit instrument is lost or destroyed, the debt |
2567 | represented by the credit instrument may be enforced if the |
2568 | resort licensee or person acting on behalf of the licensee can |
2569 | prove the existence of the credit instrument. |
2570 | (7) The existence of a mental disorder in a patron who |
2571 | provides a credit instrument to a resort licensee: |
2572 | (a) Is not a defense in any action by a resort licensee to |
2573 | enforce a credit instrument or the debt that the credit |
2574 | instrument represents. |
2575 | (b) Is not a valid counterclaim in an action to enforce |
2576 | the credit instrument or the debt that the credit instrument |
2577 | represents. |
2578 | (8) The failure of a resort licensee to comply with this |
2579 | section or department rules does not invalidate a credit |
2580 | instrument or affect its ability to enforce the credit |
2581 | instrument or the debt that the credit instrument represents. |
2582 | (9) The department may adopt rules prescribing the |
2583 | conditions under which a credit instrument may be redeemed or |
2584 | presented to a bank, credit union, or other financial |
2585 | institution for collection or payment. |
2586 | (10) A violation of these regulatory requirements only |
2587 | states a basis for disciplinary action for the commission. |
2588 | Section 37. Section 551.330, Florida Statutes, is created |
2589 | to read: |
2590 | 551.330 Compulsive or addictive gambling prevention |
2591 | program.- |
2592 | (1) A resort licensee shall offer training to employees on |
2593 | responsible gaming and shall work with a compulsive or addictive |
2594 | gambling prevention program to recognize problem gaming |
2595 | situations and to implement responsible gaming programs and |
2596 | practices. |
2597 | (2) The department shall, subject to competitive bidding, |
2598 | contract for services relating to the prevention of compulsive |
2599 | and addictive gambling. The contract shall provide for an |
2600 | advertising program to encourage responsible gaming practices |
2601 | and to publicize a gambling telephone help line. Such |
2602 | advertisements must be made both publicly and inside the |
2603 | resort's limited gaming facility. The terms of any contract for |
2604 | such services shall include accountability standards that must |
2605 | be met by any private provider. The failure of a private |
2606 | provider to meet any material terms of the contract, including |
2607 | the accountability standards, constitutes a breach of contract |
2608 | or is grounds for nonrenewal. The department may consult with |
2609 | the Department of the Lottery or the Department of Business and |
2610 | Professional Regulation in the development of the program and |
2611 | the development and analysis of any procurement for contractual |
2612 | services for the compulsive or addictive gambling prevention |
2613 | program. |
2614 | (3) The compulsive or addictive gambling prevention |
2615 | program shall be funded from an annual nonrefundable regulatory |
2616 | fee of $250,000 paid by each resort licensee to the department. |
2617 | Section 38. Section 551.331, Florida Statutes, is created |
2618 | to read: |
2619 | 551.331 Voluntary self-exclusion from a limited gaming |
2620 | facility.- |
2621 | (1) A person may request that he or she be excluded from |
2622 | limited gaming facilities in this state by personally submitting |
2623 | a Request for Voluntary Self-exclusion from Limited Gaming |
2624 | Facilities Form to the department. The form must require the |
2625 | person requesting exclusion to: |
2626 | (a) State his or her: |
2627 | 1. Name, including any aliases or nicknames; |
2628 | 2. Date of birth; |
2629 | 3. Current residential address; |
2630 | 4. Telephone number; |
2631 | 5. Social security number; and |
2632 | 6. Physical description, including height, weight, gender, |
2633 | hair color, eye color, and any other physical characteristic |
2634 | that may assist in the identification of the person. |
2635 | |
2636 | A self-excluded person must update the information in this |
2637 | paragraph on forms supplied by the department within 30 days |
2638 | after any change. |
2639 | (b) Select one of the following as the duration of the |
2640 | self-exclusion: |
2641 | 1. One year. |
2642 | 2. Five years. |
2643 | 3. Lifetime. |
2644 | (c) Execute a release in which the person: |
2645 | 1. Acknowledges that the request for exclusion has been |
2646 | made voluntarily. |
2647 | 2. Certifies that the information provided in the request |
2648 | for self-exclusion is true and correct. |
2649 | 3. Acknowledges that the individual requesting self- |
2650 | exclusion is a problem gambler. |
2651 | 4. Acknowledges that a person requesting a lifetime |
2652 | exclusion will not be removed from the self-exclusion list and |
2653 | that a person requesting a 1-year or 5-year exclusion will |
2654 | remain on the self-exclusion list until a request for removal is |
2655 | approved by the department. |
2656 | 5. Acknowledges that, if the individual is discovered on |
2657 | the gaming floor of a limited gaming facility, the individual |
2658 | may be removed and may be arrested and prosecuted for criminal |
2659 | trespass. |
2660 | 6. Releases, indemnifies, holds harmless, and forever |
2661 | discharges the state, department, and all licensee from any |
2662 | claims, damages, losses, expenses, or liability arising out of, |
2663 | by reason of or relating to the self-excluded person or to any |
2664 | other party for any harm, monetary or otherwise, which may arise |
2665 | as a result of one or more of the following: |
2666 | a. The failure of a resort licensee to withhold gaming |
2667 | privileges from or restore gaming privileges to a self-excluded |
2668 | person. |
2669 | b. Permitting or prohibiting a self-excluded person from |
2670 | engaging in gaming activity in a limited gaming facility. |
2671 | (2) A person submitting a self-exclusion request must |
2672 | present to the department a government-issued form of |
2673 | identification containing the person's signature. |
2674 | (3) The department shall take a photograph of a person |
2675 | requesting self-exclusion at the time the person submits a |
2676 | request for self-exclusion. |
2677 | Section 39. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section |
2678 | 561.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
2679 | 561.20 Limitation upon number of licenses issued.- |
2680 | (2)(a) No such limitation of the number of licenses as |
2681 | herein provided shall henceforth prohibit the issuance of a |
2682 | special license to: |
2683 | 1. Any bona fide hotel, motel, or motor court of not fewer |
2684 | than 80 guest rooms in any county having a population of less |
2685 | than 50,000 residents, and of not fewer than 100 guest rooms in |
2686 | any county having a population of 50,000 residents or greater; |
2687 | or any bona fide hotel or motel located in a historic structure, |
2688 | as defined in s. 561.01(21), with fewer than 100 guest rooms |
2689 | which derives at least 51 percent of its gross revenue from the |
2690 | rental of hotel or motel rooms, which is licensed as a public |
2691 | lodging establishment by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants; |
2692 | provided, however, that a bona fide hotel or motel with no fewer |
2693 | than 10 and no more than 25 guest rooms which is a historic |
2694 | structure, as defined in s. 561.01(21), in a municipality that |
2695 | on the effective date of this act has a population, according to |
2696 | the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business |
2697 | Research Estimates of Population for 1998, of no fewer than |
2698 | 25,000 and no more than 35,000 residents and that is within a |
2699 | constitutionally chartered county may be issued a special |
2700 | license. This special license shall allow the sale and |
2701 | consumption of alcoholic beverages only on the licensed premises |
2702 | of the hotel or motel. In addition, the hotel or motel must |
2703 | derive at least 60 percent of its gross revenue from the rental |
2704 | of hotel or motel rooms and the sale of food and nonalcoholic |
2705 | beverages; provided that the provisions of this subparagraph |
2706 | shall supersede local laws requiring a greater number of hotel |
2707 | rooms; |
2708 | 2. Any condominium accommodation of which no fewer than |
2709 | 100 condominium units are wholly rentable to transients and |
2710 | which is licensed under the provisions of chapter 509, except |
2711 | that the license shall be issued only to the person or |
2712 | corporation which operates the hotel or motel operation and not |
2713 | to the association of condominium owners; |
2714 | 3. Any condominium accommodation of which no fewer than 50 |
2715 | condominium units are wholly rentable to transients, which is |
2716 | licensed under the provisions of chapter 509, and which is |
2717 | located in any county having home rule under s. 10 or s. 11, |
2718 | Art. VIII of the State Constitution of 1885, as amended, and |
2719 | incorporated by reference in s. 6(e), Art. VIII of the State |
2720 | Constitution, except that the license shall be issued only to |
2721 | the person or corporation which operates the hotel or motel |
2722 | operation and not to the association of condominium owners; |
2723 | 4. Any restaurant having 2,500 square feet of service area |
2724 | and equipped to serve 150 persons full course meals at tables at |
2725 | one time, and deriving at least 51 percent of its gross revenue |
2726 | from the sale of food and nonalcoholic beverages; however, no |
2727 | restaurant granted a special license on or after January 1, |
2728 | 1958, pursuant to general or special law shall operate as a |
2729 | package store, nor shall intoxicating beverages be sold under |
2730 | such license after the hours of serving food have elapsed; or |
2731 | 5. Any caterer, deriving at least 51 percent of its gross |
2732 | revenue from the sale of food and nonalcoholic beverages, |
2733 | licensed by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants under chapter |
2734 | 509. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, |
2735 | a licensee under this subparagraph shall sell or serve alcoholic |
2736 | beverages only for consumption on the premises of a catered |
2737 | event at which the licensee is also providing prepared food, and |
2738 | shall prominently display its license at any catered event at |
2739 | which the caterer is selling or serving alcoholic beverages. A |
2740 | licensee under this subparagraph shall purchase all alcoholic |
2741 | beverages it sells or serves at a catered event from a vendor |
2742 | licensed under s. 563.02(1), s. 564.02(1), or licensed under s. |
2743 | 565.02(1) subject to the limitation imposed in subsection (1), |
2744 | as appropriate. A licensee under this subparagraph may not store |
2745 | any alcoholic beverages to be sold or served at a catered event. |
2746 | Any alcoholic beverages purchased by a licensee under this |
2747 | subparagraph for a catered event that are not used at that event |
2748 | must remain with the customer; provided that if the vendor |
2749 | accepts unopened alcoholic beverages, the licensee may return |
2750 | such alcoholic beverages to the vendor for a credit or |
2751 | reimbursement. Regardless of the county or counties in which the |
2752 | licensee operates, a licensee under this subparagraph shall pay |
2753 | the annual state license tax set forth in s. 565.02(1)(b). A |
2754 | licensee under this subparagraph must maintain for a period of 3 |
2755 | years all records required by the department by rule to |
2756 | demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this |
2757 | subparagraph, including licensed vendor receipts for the |
2758 | purchase of alcoholic beverages and records identifying each |
2759 | customer and the location and date of each catered event. |
2760 | Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any vendor |
2761 | licensed under s. 565.02(1) subject to the limitation imposed in |
2762 | subsection (1), may, without any additional licensure under this |
2763 | subparagraph, serve or sell alcoholic beverages for consumption |
2764 | on the premises of a catered event at which prepared food is |
2765 | provided by a caterer licensed under chapter 509. If a licensee |
2766 | under this subparagraph also possesses any other license under |
2767 | the Beverage Law, the license issued under this subparagraph |
2768 | shall not authorize the holder to conduct activities on the |
2769 | premises to which the other license or licenses apply that would |
2770 | otherwise be prohibited by the terms of that license or the |
2771 | Beverage Law. Nothing in this section shall permit the licensee |
2772 | to conduct activities that are otherwise prohibited by the |
2773 | Beverage Law or local law. The Division of Alcoholic Beverages |
2774 | and Tobacco is hereby authorized to adopt rules to administer |
2775 | the license created in this subparagraph, to include rules |
2776 | governing licensure, recordkeeping, and enforcement. The first |
2777 | $300,000 in fees collected by the division each fiscal year |
2778 | pursuant to this subparagraph shall be deposited in the |
2779 | Department of Children and Family Services' Operations and |
2780 | Maintenance Trust Fund to be used only for alcohol and drug |
2781 | abuse education, treatment, and prevention programs. The |
2782 | remainder of the fees collected shall be deposited into the |
2783 | Hotel and Restaurant Trust Fund created pursuant to s. 509.072. |
2784 | 6. Any destination resort licensed by the State Gaming |
2785 | Commission under chapter 551. Notwithstanding any other |
2786 | provision of law to the contrary, a licensee under this |
2787 | subparagraph may sell or serve alcoholic beverages only for |
2788 | consumption on the premises. A licensee under this subparagraph |
2789 | shall purchase all alcoholic beverages from a supplier licensed |
2790 | under s. 551.321 or s. 551.323. Regardless of the county or |
2791 | counties in which the licensee operates, a licensee under this |
2792 | subparagraph shall pay an annual state license tax of $50,000, |
2793 | the proceeds of which shall be deposited into the Destination |
2794 | Resort Trust Fund of the Department of Gaming Control. This |
2795 | subparagraph expressly preempts the regulation of alcoholic |
2796 | beverages at destination resorts licensed by the State Gaming |
2797 | Commission to the state and supersedes any municipal or county |
2798 | ordinance on the subject. Notwithstanding any other law or local |
2799 | law or ordinance to the contrary, a licensee under this |
2800 | subparagraph may serve alcoholic beverages 24 hours per day, |
2801 | every day of the year. This subparagraph does not permit the |
2802 | licensee to conduct activities that are otherwise prohibited by |
2803 | the Beverage Law. The State Gaming Commission shall adopt rules |
2804 | to implement this subparagraph, including, but not limited to, |
2805 | rules governing licensure, recordkeeping, and enforcement. A |
2806 | licensee under this subparagraph must maintain for a period of 3 |
2807 | years all records required by the State Gaming Commission by |
2808 | rule to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this |
2809 | subparagraph, including licensed supplier receipts for the |
2810 | purchase of alcoholic beverages. |
2811 | |
2812 | However, any license heretofore issued to any such hotel, motel, |
2813 | motor court, or restaurant or hereafter issued to any such |
2814 | hotel, motel, or motor court, including a condominium |
2815 | accommodation, under the general law shall not be moved to a new |
2816 | location, such license being valid only on the premises of such |
2817 | hotel, motel, motor court, or restaurant. Licenses issued to |
2818 | hotels, motels, motor courts, or restaurants under the general |
2819 | law and held by such hotels, motels, motor courts, or |
2820 | restaurants on May 24, 1947, shall be counted in the quota |
2821 | limitation contained in subsection (1). Any license issued for |
2822 | any hotel, motel, or motor court under the provisions of this |
2823 | law shall be issued only to the owner of the hotel, motel, or |
2824 | motor court or, in the event the hotel, motel, or motor court is |
2825 | leased, to the lessee of the hotel, motel, or motor court; and |
2826 | the license shall remain in the name of the owner or lessee so |
2827 | long as the license is in existence. Any special license now in |
2828 | existence heretofore issued under the provisions of this law |
2829 | cannot be renewed except in the name of the owner of the hotel, |
2830 | motel, motor court, or restaurant or, in the event the hotel, |
2831 | motel, motor court, or restaurant is leased, in the name of the |
2832 | lessee of the hotel, motel, motor court, or restaurant in which |
2833 | the license is located and must remain in the name of the owner |
2834 | or lessee so long as the license is in existence. Any license |
2835 | issued under this section shall be marked "Special," and nothing |
2836 | herein provided shall limit, restrict, or prevent the issuance |
2837 | of a special license for any restaurant or motel which shall |
2838 | hereafter meet the requirements of the law existing immediately |
2839 | prior to the effective date of this act, if construction of such |
2840 | restaurant has commenced prior to the effective date of this act |
2841 | and is completed within 30 days thereafter, or if an application |
2842 | is on file for such special license at the time this act takes |
2843 | effect; and any such licenses issued under this proviso may be |
2844 | annually renewed as now provided by law. Nothing herein prevents |
2845 | an application for transfer of a license to a bona fide |
2846 | purchaser of any hotel, motel, motor court, or restaurant by the |
2847 | purchaser of such facility or the transfer of such license |
2848 | pursuant to law. |
2849 | Section 40. Section 849.15, Florida Statutes, is amended |
2850 | to read: |
2851 | 849.15 Manufacture, sale, possession, etc., of coin- |
2852 | operated devices prohibited.- |
2853 | (1) It is unlawful: |
2854 | (a) To manufacture, own, store, keep, possess, sell, rent, |
2855 | lease, let on shares, lend or give away, transport, or expose |
2856 | for sale or lease, or to offer to sell, rent, lease, let on |
2857 | shares, lend or give away, or permit the operation of, or for |
2858 | any person to permit to be placed, maintained, or used or kept |
2859 | in any room, space, or building owned, leased or occupied by the |
2860 | person or under the person's management or control, any slot |
2861 | machine or device or any part thereof; or |
2862 | (b) To make or to permit to be made with any person any |
2863 | agreement with reference to any slot machine or device, pursuant |
2864 | to which the user thereof, as a result of any element of chance |
2865 | or other outcome unpredictable to him or her, may become |
2866 | entitled to receive any money, credit, allowance, or thing of |
2867 | value or additional chance or right to use such machine or |
2868 | device, or to receive any check, slug, token or memorandum |
2869 | entitling the holder to receive any money, credit, allowance or |
2870 | thing of value. |
2871 | (2) Pursuant to section 2 of that chapter of the Congress |
2872 | of the United States entitled "An act to prohibit transportation |
2873 | of gaming devices in interstate and foreign commerce," approved |
2874 | January 2, 1951, being ch. 1194, 64 Stat. 1134, and also |
2875 | designated as 15 U.S.C. ss. 1171-1177, the State of Florida, |
2876 | acting by and through the duly elected and qualified members of |
2877 | its Legislature, does hereby in this section, and in accordance |
2878 | with and in compliance with the provisions of section 2 of such |
2879 | chapter of Congress, declare and proclaim that any county of the |
2880 | State of Florida within which slot machine gaming is authorized |
2881 | pursuant to chapter 551 is exempt from the provisions of section |
2882 | 2 of that chapter of the Congress of the United States entitled |
2883 | "An act to prohibit transportation of gaming devices in |
2884 | interstate and foreign commerce," designated as 15 U.S.C. ss. |
2885 | 1171-1177, approved January 2, 1951. All shipments of gaming |
2886 | devices, including slot machines, into any county of this state |
2887 | within which slot machine gaming is authorized pursuant to |
2888 | chapter 551 and the registering, recording, and labeling of |
2889 | which have been duly performed by the manufacturer or |
2890 | distributor thereof in accordance with sections 3 and 4 of that |
2891 | chapter of the Congress of the United States entitled "An act to |
2892 | prohibit transportation of gaming devices in interstate and |
2893 | foreign commerce," approved January 2, 1951, being ch. 1194, 64 |
2894 | Stat. 1134, and also designated as 15 U.S.C. ss. 1171-1177, |
2895 | shall be deemed legal shipments thereof into this state provided |
2896 | the destination of such shipments is an eligible facility as |
2897 | defined in s. 551.102, |
2898 | manufacturer or slot machine distributor as provided in s. |
2899 | 551.109(2)(a), or the facility of a resort licensee or supplier |
2900 | licensee under part III of chapter 551. |
2901 | (3) This section does not apply to slot machine licensees |
2902 | authorized under part II of chapter 551 or resort licensees as |
2903 | authorized under part III of chapter 551. |
2904 | Section 41. Section 849.231, Florida Statutes, is amended |
2905 | to read: |
2906 | 849.231 Gambling devices; manufacture, sale, purchase or |
2907 | possession unlawful.- |
2908 | (1) Except in instances when the following described |
2909 | implements or apparatus are being held or transported by |
2910 | authorized persons for the purpose of destruction, as |
2911 | hereinafter provided, and except in instances when the following |
2912 | described instruments or apparatus are being held, sold, |
2913 | transported, or manufactured by persons who have registered with |
2914 | the United States Government pursuant to the provisions of Title |
2915 | 15 of the United States Code, ss. 1171 et seq., as amended, so |
2916 | long as the described implements or apparatus are not displayed |
2917 | to the general public, sold for use in Florida, or held or |
2918 | manufactured in contravention of the requirements of 15 U.S.C. |
2919 | ss. 1171 et seq., it shall be unlawful for any person to |
2920 | manufacture, sell, transport, offer for sale, purchase, own, or |
2921 | have in his or her possession any roulette wheel or table, faro |
2922 | layout, crap table or layout, chemin de fer table or layout, |
2923 | chuck-a-luck wheel, bird cage such as used for gambling, bolita |
2924 | balls, chips with house markings, or any other device, |
2925 | implement, apparatus, or paraphernalia ordinarily or commonly |
2926 | used or designed to be used in the operation of gambling houses |
2927 | or establishments, excepting ordinary dice and playing cards. |
2928 | (2) In addition to any other penalties provided for the |
2929 | violation of this section, any occupational license held by a |
2930 | person found guilty of violating this section shall be suspended |
2931 | for a period not to exceed 5 years. |
2932 | (3) This section and s. 849.05 do not apply to a vessel of |
2933 | foreign registry or a vessel operated under the authority of a |
2934 | country except the United States, while docked in this state or |
2935 | transiting in the territorial waters of this state. |
2936 | (4) This section does not apply to slot machine licensees |
2937 | authorized under part II of chapter 551 or resort licensees as |
2938 | authorized under part III of chapter 551. |
2939 | Section 42. Section 849.25, Florida Statutes, is amended |
2940 | to read: |
2941 | 849.25 "Bookmaking" defined; penalties; exceptions.- |
2942 | (1)(a) The term "bookmaking" means the act of taking or |
2943 | receiving, while engaged in the business or profession of |
2944 | gambling, any bet or wager upon the result of any trial or |
2945 | contest of skill, speed, power, or endurance of human, beast, |
2946 | fowl, motor vehicle, or mechanical apparatus or upon the result |
2947 | of any chance, casualty, unknown, or contingent event |
2948 | whatsoever. |
2949 | (b) The following factors shall be considered in making a |
2950 | determination that a person has engaged in the offense of |
2951 | bookmaking: |
2952 | 1. Taking advantage of betting odds created to produce a |
2953 | profit for the bookmaker or charging a percentage on accepted |
2954 | wagers. |
2955 | 2. Placing all or part of accepted wagers with other |
2956 | bookmakers to reduce the chance of financial loss. |
2957 | 3. Taking or receiving more than five wagers in any single |
2958 | day. |
2959 | 4. Taking or receiving wagers totaling more than $500 in |
2960 | any single day, or more than $1,500 in any single week. |
2961 | 5. Engaging in a common scheme with two or more persons to |
2962 | take or receive wagers. |
2963 | 6. Taking or receiving wagers on both sides on a contest |
2964 | at the identical point spread. |
2965 | 7. Any other factor relevant to establishing that the |
2966 | operating procedures of such person are commercial in nature. |
2967 | (c) The existence of any two factors listed in paragraph |
2968 | (b) may constitute prima facie evidence of a commercial |
2969 | bookmaking operation. |
2970 | (2) Any person who engages in bookmaking commits |
2971 | |
2972 | in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Notwithstanding the |
2973 | provisions of s. 948.01, any person convicted under the |
2974 | provisions of this subsection shall not have adjudication of |
2975 | guilt suspended, deferred, or withheld. |
2976 | (3) Any person who has been convicted of bookmaking and |
2977 | thereafter violates the provisions of this section commits |
2978 | |
2979 | provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. |
2980 | Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 948.01, any person |
2981 | convicted under the provisions of this subsection shall not have |
2982 | adjudication of guilt suspended, deferred, or withheld. |
2983 | (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 777.04, any |
2984 | person who is guilty of conspiracy to commit bookmaking is |
2985 | |
2986 | (5) This section does |
2987 | wagering in Florida as authorized under chapter 550. |
2988 | (6) This section does |
2989 | filed and pending at the time of the passage hereof, but all |
2990 | such cases shall be disposed of under existing laws at the time |
2991 | of the institution of such prosecutions. |
2992 | (7) This section does not apply to slot machine licensees |
2993 | authorized under part II of chapter 551 or resort licensees as |
2994 | authorized under part III of chapter 551. |
2995 | Section 43. Section 849.48, Florida Statutes, is created |
2996 | to read: |
2997 | 849.48 Gambling operator, manufacturer, distributor |
2998 | licenses; application; qualifications; fees; renewal; |
2999 | duplicates.- |
3000 | (1)(a) Each person, firm, association, partnership, or |
3001 | corporate entity that seeks to operate a gambling business or to |
3002 | allow gambling to occur on its premises must obtain a license |
3003 | from the department. Any person, firm, association, partnership, |
3004 | or corporate entity owning, leasing, furnishing, manufacturing, |
3005 | distributing, or operating gambling devices must obtain a |
3006 | license from the Department of Gaming Control. |
3007 | (b) An application for a license must be made on a form |
3008 | adopted by rule of the department. The form must require the |
3009 | applicant to set forth the name under which the applicant |
3010 | transacts or intends to transact business, the address of the |
3011 | location of the applicant's place of business, and any other |
3012 | information the department requires. If the applicant has, or |
3013 | intends to have, more than one place of business where gambling |
3014 | will occur or gambling devices will be located, a separate |
3015 | application must be made for each place of business. If the |
3016 | applicant is a firm, association, partnership, or corporate |
3017 | entity, the application must set forth the names and addresses |
3018 | of the persons owning more than 5 percent of, or exercising any |
3019 | decisionmaking control over, the business. If the applicant is a |
3020 | corporate entity, the application must additionally set forth |
3021 | the names and addresses of the principal officers of the |
3022 | corporation. The application must also set forth any other |
3023 | information prescribed by the department for the purpose of |
3024 | identifying the applicant, its owners, or its decisionmaking |
3025 | principals. The application must be signed and verified by oath |
3026 | or affirmation by the owner. If the owner is a firm, |
3027 | association, or partnership, the application must be signed by |
3028 | the members or partners thereof, or, if the owner is a corporate |
3029 | entity, by a decisionmaking principal authorized by the entity |
3030 | to sign the application, together with the written evidence of |
3031 | the principal's authority. The application must be accompanied |
3032 | by the annual license fee prescribed by the department. |
3033 | (c) Licenses shall be issued annually, upon payment of the |
3034 | annual license fee prescribed by the department. The department |
3035 | shall fix the fee in an amount sufficient to meet the costs of |
3036 | carrying out its licensing, enforcement, and administrative |
3037 | responsibilities under this chapter, but the fee may not exceed |
3038 | $5,000. The proceeds of the fee shall be deposited into the |
3039 | Destination Resort Trust Fund of the Department of Gaming |
3040 | Control. |
3041 | (d) The holder of a license may renew the license each |
3042 | year, on or before January 15, upon payment of the annual |
3043 | license fee. A licensee that does not timely renew its license |
3044 | must pay a delinquent renewal fee of $500 for each month or |
3045 | portion of a month occurring after expiration, and before |
3046 | renewal, of the license. |
3047 | (e) The department may not grant an exemption from the |
3048 | license fees prescribed in this subsection to any applicant. |
3049 | (f) The department shall establish a procedural rule that, |
3050 | to the greatest extent possible, provides for the Department of |
3051 | Law Enforcement to conduct background investigations for the |
3052 | initial licensing and licensing renewals. |
3053 | (2)(a) A license may be issued only to a person who is at |
3054 | least 18 years of age or to a corporation having officers who |
3055 | are at least 18 years of age. |
3056 | (b) The department may refuse to issue a license to: |
3057 | 1. Any person, firm, association, partnership, or |
3058 | corporate entity whose license has been revoked by the |
3059 | department; |
3060 | 2. Any corporation having an officer whose license has |
3061 | been revoked by the department; or |
3062 | 3. Any person who is or has been an officer of a |
3063 | corporation whose license has been revoked by the department or |
3064 | who is or has been an officer of a corporation whose license |
3065 | relating to gambling activities has been revoked in another |
3066 | jurisdiction. |
3067 | (c) The department shall revoke any license issued to a |
3068 | firm, association, partnership, or corporate entity that is |
3069 | prohibited from licensure under this section. |
3070 | (3) Upon approval of an application for a license, the |
3071 | Department of Gaming Control shall issue to the applicant a |
3072 | license for the place of business or premises specified in the |
3073 | application. A license is not assignable and is valid only for |
3074 | the person in whose name the license is issued and for the place |
3075 | designated in the license. The licensee must be in possession of |
3076 | the license at all times while working at the location for which |
3077 | the license was issued and must display the license upon demand |
3078 | to any person. |
3079 | (4) If a license has been destroyed or lost, the licensee |
3080 | may apply to the Department of Gaming Control for the issuance |
3081 | of a duplicate license. The department shall issue a duplicate |
3082 | license upon payment of a $150 fee, which the department shall |
3083 | deposit into the Destination Resort Trust Fund of the Department |
3084 | of Gaming Control. |
3085 | Section 44. Transfers.- |
3086 | (1) All of the statutory powers, duties and functions, |
3087 | records, personnel, property, and unexpended balances of |
3088 | appropriations, allocations, or other funds for the |
3089 | administration of chapter 550, Florida Statutes, are transferred |
3090 | intact by a type two transfer, as defined in s. 20.06(2), |
3091 | Florida Statutes, from the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering of |
3092 | the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to the |
3093 | Division of Licensure of the Department of Gaming Control. |
3094 | (2) All of the statutory powers, duties and functions, |
3095 | records, personnel, property, and unexpended balances of |
3096 | appropriations, allocations, or other funds for the |
3097 | administration of chapter 551, Florida Statutes, are transferred |
3098 | by a type two transfer, as defined in s. 20.06(2), Florida |
3099 | Statutes, from the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering of the |
3100 | Department of Business and Professional Regulation to the |
3101 | Division of Licensure of Department of Gaming Control. |
3102 | (3) All of the statutory powers, duties and functions, |
3103 | records, personnel, property, and unexpended balances of |
3104 | appropriations, allocations, or other funds for the |
3105 | administration of s. 849.086, Florida Statutes, are transferred |
3106 | by a type two transfer, as defined in s. 20.06(2), Florida |
3107 | Statutes, from the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering of the |
3108 | Department of Business and Professional Regulation to the |
3109 | Division of Licensure of Department of Gaming Control. |
3110 | (4) The following trust funds are transferred from the |
3111 | Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering of the Department of Business |
3112 | and Professional Regulation to the Division of Licensure of |
3113 | Department of Gaming Control: |
3114 | (a) Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund. |
3115 | (b) Racing Scholarship Trust Fund. |
3116 | Section 45. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1), subsection |
3117 | (7), and paragraph (a) of subsection (13) of section 285.710, |
3118 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
3119 | 285.710 Compact authorization.- |
3120 | (1) As used in this section, the term: |
3121 | (f) "State compliance agency" means the Division of |
3122 | Licensure |
3123 | Control |
3124 | as the state agency having the authority to carry out the |
3125 | state's oversight responsibilities under the compact. |
3126 | (7) The Division of Licensure |
3127 | Department of Gaming Control |
3128 | |
3129 | the authority to carry out the state's oversight |
3130 | responsibilities under the compact authorized by this section. |
3131 | (13) For the purpose of satisfying the requirement in 25 |
3132 | U.S.C. s. 2710(d)(1)(B) that the gaming activities authorized |
3133 | under an Indian gaming compact must be permitted in the state |
3134 | for any purpose by any person, organization, or entity, the |
3135 | following class III games or other games specified in this |
3136 | section are hereby authorized to be conducted by the Tribe |
3137 | pursuant to the compact: |
3138 | (a) Slot machines, as defined in s. 551.102 |
3139 | Section 46. Subsections (6) and (7) of section 550.002, |
3140 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
3141 | 550.002 Definitions.-As used in this chapter, the term: |
3142 | (6) "Department" means the Department of Gaming Control |
3143 | |
3144 | (7) "Division" means the Division of Licensure |
3145 | |
3146 | |
3147 | Section 47. Section 550.0251, Florida Statutes, is amended |
3148 | to read: |
3149 | 550.0251 The powers and duties of the division |
3150 | |
3151 | |
3152 | regulate the pari-mutuel industry under this chapter and the |
3153 | rules adopted pursuant thereto, and: |
3154 | (1) The division shall make an annual report to the |
3155 | Governor showing its own actions, receipts derived under the |
3156 | provisions of this chapter, the practical effects of the |
3157 | application of this chapter, and any suggestions it may approve |
3158 | for the more effectual accomplishments of the purposes of this |
3159 | chapter. |
3160 | (2) The division shall require an oath on application |
3161 | documents as required by rule, which oath must state that the |
3162 | information contained in the document is true and complete. |
3163 | (3) The division shall adopt reasonable rules for the |
3164 | control, supervision, and direction of all applicants, |
3165 | permittees, and licensees and for the holding, conducting, and |
3166 | operating of all racetracks, race meets, and races held in this |
3167 | state. Such rules must be uniform in their application and |
3168 | effect, and the duty of exercising this control and power is |
3169 | made mandatory upon the division. |
3170 | (4) The division may take testimony concerning any matter |
3171 | within its jurisdiction and issue summons and subpoenas for any |
3172 | witness and subpoenas duces tecum in connection with any matter |
3173 | within the jurisdiction of the division under its seal and |
3174 | signed by the director. |
3175 | (5) The division may adopt rules establishing procedures |
3176 | for testing occupational licenseholders officiating at or |
3177 | participating in any race or game at any pari-mutuel facility |
3178 | under the jurisdiction of the division for a controlled |
3179 | substance or alcohol and may prescribe procedural matters not in |
3180 | conflict with s. 120.80(19) |
3181 | (6) In addition to the power to exclude certain persons |
3182 | from any pari-mutuel facility in this state, the division may |
3183 | exclude any person from any and all pari-mutuel facilities in |
3184 | this state for conduct that would constitute, if the person were |
3185 | a licensee, a violation of this chapter or the rules of the |
3186 | division. The division may exclude from any pari-mutuel facility |
3187 | within this state any person who has been ejected from a pari- |
3188 | mutuel facility in this state or who has been excluded from any |
3189 | pari-mutuel facility in another state by the governmental |
3190 | department, agency, commission, or authority exercising |
3191 | regulatory jurisdiction over pari-mutuel facilities in such |
3192 | other state. The division may authorize any person who has been |
3193 | ejected or excluded from pari-mutuel facilities in this state or |
3194 | another state to attend the pari-mutuel facilities in this state |
3195 | upon a finding that the attendance of such person at pari-mutuel |
3196 | facilities would not be adverse to the public interest or to the |
3197 | integrity of the sport or industry; however, this subsection |
3198 | shall not be construed to abrogate the common-law right of a |
3199 | pari-mutuel permitholder to exclude absolutely a patron in this |
3200 | state. |
3201 | (7) The division may oversee the making of, and |
3202 | distribution from, all pari-mutuel pools. |
3203 | (8) The department may collect taxes and require |
3204 | compliance with reporting requirements for financial information |
3205 | as authorized by this chapter. In addition, the secretary of the |
3206 | department may require permitholders conducting pari-mutuel |
3207 | operations within the state to remit taxes, including fees, by |
3208 | electronic funds transfer if the taxes and fees amounted to |
3209 | $50,000 or more in the prior reporting year. |
3210 | (9) The division may conduct investigations in enforcing |
3211 | this chapter, except that all information obtained pursuant to |
3212 | an investigation by the division for an alleged violation of |
3213 | this chapter or rules of the division is exempt from s. |
3214 | 119.07(1) and from s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution |
3215 | until an administrative complaint is issued or the investigation |
3216 | is closed or ceases to be active. This subsection does not |
3217 | prohibit the division from providing such information to any law |
3218 | enforcement agency or to any other regulatory agency. For the |
3219 | purposes of this subsection, an investigation is considered to |
3220 | be active while it is being conducted with reasonable dispatch |
3221 | and with a reasonable, good faith belief that it could lead to |
3222 | an administrative, civil, or criminal action by the division or |
3223 | another administrative or law enforcement agency. Except for |
3224 | active criminal intelligence or criminal investigative |
3225 | information, as defined in s. 119.011, and any other information |
3226 | that, if disclosed, would jeopardize the safety of an |
3227 | individual, all information, records, and transcriptions become |
3228 | public when the investigation is closed or ceases to be active. |
3229 | (10) The division may impose an administrative fine for a |
3230 | violation under this chapter of not more than $1,000 for each |
3231 | count or separate offense, except as otherwise provided in this |
3232 | chapter, and may suspend or revoke a permit, a pari-mutuel |
3233 | license, or an occupational license for a violation under this |
3234 | chapter. All fines imposed and collected under this subsection |
3235 | must be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit |
3236 | of the General Revenue Fund. |
3237 | (11) The division shall supervise and regulate the welfare |
3238 | of racing animals at pari-mutuel facilities. |
3239 | (12) The division shall have full authority and power to |
3240 | make, adopt, amend, or repeal rules relating to cardroom |
3241 | operations, to enforce and to carry out the provisions of s. |
3242 | 849.086, and to regulate the authorized cardroom activities in |
3243 | the state. |
3244 | (13) The division shall have the authority to suspend a |
3245 | permitholder's permit or license, if such permitholder is |
3246 | operating a cardroom facility and such permitholder's cardroom |
3247 | license has been suspended or revoked pursuant to s. 849.086. |
3248 | Section 48. Paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of section |
3249 | 550.09514, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
3250 | 550.09514 Greyhound dogracing taxes; purse requirements.- |
3251 | (2) |
3252 | (f) Each greyhound permitholder shall, during the |
3253 | permitholder's race meet, supply kennel operators and the |
3254 | Division of Licensure |
3255 | showing purses paid on live greyhound races and all greyhound |
3256 | intertrack and simulcast broadcasts, including both as a guest |
3257 | and a host together with the handle or commission calculations |
3258 | on which such purses were paid and the transmission costs of |
3259 | sending the simulcast or intertrack broadcasts, so that the |
3260 | kennel operators may determine statutory and contractual |
3261 | compliance. |
3262 | Section 49. Subsection (1) of section 550.135, Florida |
3263 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
3264 | 550.135 Division of moneys derived under this law.-All |
3265 | moneys that are deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to |
3266 | the credit of the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund shall be |
3267 | distributed as follows: |
3268 | (1) The daily license fee revenues collected pursuant to |
3269 | s. 550.0951(1) shall be used to fund the operating cost of the |
3270 | division and to provide a proportionate share of the operation |
3271 | of the office of the secretary and the Division of |
3272 | Administration of the department |
3273 | |
3274 | Wagering Trust Fund may also be used to fund the operation of |
3275 | the division in accordance with authorized appropriations. |
3276 | Section 50. Subsection (4) of section 550.24055, Florida |
3277 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
3278 | 550.24055 Use of controlled substances or alcohol |
3279 | prohibited; testing of certain occupational licensees; penalty; |
3280 | evidence of test or action taken and admissibility for criminal |
3281 | prosecution limited.- |
3282 | (4) The provisions of s. 120.80(19) |
3283 | all actions taken by the stewards, judges, or board of judges |
3284 | pursuant to this section without regard to the limitation |
3285 | contained therein. |
3286 | Section 51. Subsection (15) of section 550.2415, Florida |
3287 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
3288 | 550.2415 Racing of animals under certain conditions |
3289 | prohibited; penalties; exceptions.- |
3290 | (15) The division may implement by rule medication levels |
3291 | recommended by the University of Florida College of Veterinary |
3292 | Medicine developed pursuant to an agreement between the division |
3293 | |
3294 | Veterinary Medicine. The University of Florida College of |
3295 | Veterinary Medicine may provide written notification to the |
3296 | division that it has completed research or review on a |
3297 | particular drug pursuant to the agreement and when the College |
3298 | of Veterinary Medicine has completed a final report of its |
3299 | findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the division. |
3300 | Section 52. Paragraph (j) of subsection (3) of section |
3301 | 550.2625, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
3302 | 550.2625 Horseracing; minimum purse requirement, Florida |
3303 | breeders' and owners' awards.- |
3304 | (3) Each horseracing permitholder conducting any |
3305 | thoroughbred race under this chapter, including any intertrack |
3306 | race taken pursuant to ss. 550.615-550.6305 or any interstate |
3307 | simulcast taken pursuant to s. 550.3551(3) shall pay a sum equal |
3308 | to 0.955 percent on all pari-mutuel pools conducted during any |
3309 | such race for the payment of breeders', stallion, or special |
3310 | racing awards as authorized in this chapter. This subsection |
3311 | also applies to all Breeder's Cup races conducted outside this |
3312 | state taken pursuant to s. 550.3551(3). On any race originating |
3313 | live in this state which is broadcast out-of-state to any |
3314 | location at which wagers are accepted pursuant to s. |
3315 | 550.3551(2), the host track is required to pay 3.475 percent of |
3316 | the gross revenue derived from such out-of-state broadcasts as |
3317 | breeders', stallion, or special racing awards. The Florida |
3318 | Thoroughbred Breeders' Association is authorized to receive |
3319 | these payments from the permitholders and make payments of |
3320 | awards earned. The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association |
3321 | has the right to withhold up to 10 percent of the permitholder's |
3322 | payments under this section as a fee for administering the |
3323 | payments of awards and for general promotion of the industry. |
3324 | The permitholder shall remit these payments to the Florida |
3325 | Thoroughbred Breeders' Association by the 5th day of each |
3326 | calendar month for such sums accruing during the preceding |
3327 | calendar month and shall report such payments to the division as |
3328 | prescribed by the division. With the exception of the 10-percent |
3329 | fee, the moneys paid by the permitholders shall be maintained in |
3330 | a separate, interest-bearing account, and such payments together |
3331 | with any interest earned shall be used exclusively for the |
3332 | payment of breeders', stallion, or special racing awards in |
3333 | accordance with the following provisions: |
3334 | (j) If the division finds that the Florida Thoroughbred |
3335 | Breeders' Association has not complied with any provision of |
3336 | this section, the division may order the association to cease |
3337 | and desist from receiving funds and administering funds received |
3338 | under this section. If the division enters such an order, the |
3339 | permitholder shall make the payments authorized in this section |
3340 | to the division for deposit into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust |
3341 | Fund; and any funds in the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' |
3342 | Association account shall be immediately paid to the division |
3343 | |
3344 | Trust Fund. The division shall authorize payment from these |
3345 | funds to any breeder or stallion owner entitled to an award that |
3346 | has not been previously paid by the Florida Thoroughbred |
3347 | Breeders' Association in accordance with the applicable rate. |
3348 | Section 53. Subsection (1) of section 550.2704, Florida |
3349 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
3350 | 550.2704 Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet.- |
3351 | (1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, there |
3352 | is hereby created a special jai alai meet which shall be |
3353 | designated as the "Jai Alai Tournament of Champions Meet" and |
3354 | which shall be hosted by the Florida jai alai permitholders |
3355 | selected by the National Association of Jai Alai Frontons, Inc., |
3356 | to conduct such meet. The meet shall consist of three qualifying |
3357 | performances and a final performance, each of which is to be |
3358 | conducted on different days. Upon the selection of the Florida |
3359 | permitholders for the meet, and upon application by the selected |
3360 | permitholders, the division |
3361 | a license to each of the selected permitholders to operate the |
3362 | meet. The meet may be conducted during a season in which the |
3363 | permitholders selected to conduct the meet are not otherwise |
3364 | authorized to conduct a meet. Notwithstanding anything herein to |
3365 | the contrary, any Florida permitholder who is to conduct a |
3366 | performance which is a part of the Jai Alai Tournament of |
3367 | Champions Meet shall not be required to apply for the license |
3368 | for said meet if it is to be run during the regular season for |
3369 | which such permitholder has a license. |
3370 | Section 54. Subsection (3) of section 550.902, Florida |
3371 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
3372 | 550.902 Purposes.-The purposes of this compact are to: |
3373 | (3) Authorize the department |
3374 | |
3375 | Section 55. Subsection (1) of section 550.907, Florida |
3376 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
3377 | 550.907 Compact committee.- |
3378 | (1) There is created an interstate governmental entity to |
3379 | be known as the "compact committee," which shall be composed of |
3380 | one official from the racing commission, or the equivalent |
3381 | thereof, in each party state who shall be appointed, serve, and |
3382 | be subject to removal in accordance with the laws of the party |
3383 | state that she or he represents. The official from Florida shall |
3384 | be appointed by the State Gaming Commission |
3385 | |
3386 | her or his party state, each official shall have the assistance |
3387 | of her or his state's racing commission, or the equivalent |
3388 | thereof, in considering issues related to licensing of |
3389 | participants in pari-mutuel wagering and in fulfilling her or |
3390 | his responsibilities as the representative from her or his state |
3391 | to the compact committee. |
3392 | Section 56. Section 551.101, Florida Statutes, is amended |
3393 | to read: |
3394 | 551.101 Slot machine gaming authorized.-Any licensed pari- |
3395 | mutuel facility located in Miami-Dade County or Broward County |
3396 | existing at the time of adoption of s. 23, Art. X of the State |
3397 | Constitution that has conducted live racing or games during |
3398 | calendar years 2002 and 2003 may possess slot machines and |
3399 | conduct slot machine gaming at the location where the pari- |
3400 | mutuel permitholder is authorized to conduct pari-mutuel |
3401 | wagering activities pursuant to such permitholder's valid pari- |
3402 | mutuel permit provided that a majority of voters in a countywide |
3403 | referendum have approved slot machines at such facility in the |
3404 | respective county. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, |
3405 | it is not a crime for a person to participate in slot machine |
3406 | gaming at a pari-mutuel facility licensed to possess slot |
3407 | machines and conduct slot machine gaming or to participate in |
3408 | slot machine gaming described in this part |
3409 | Section 57. Section 551.102, Florida Statutes, is amended |
3410 | to read: |
3411 | 551.102 Definitions.-As used in this part |
3412 | term: |
3413 | (1) "Distributor" means any person who sells, leases, or |
3414 | offers or otherwise provides, distributes, or services any slot |
3415 | machine or associated equipment for use or play of slot machines |
3416 | in this state. A manufacturer may be a distributor within the |
3417 | state. |
3418 | (2) "Designated slot machine gaming area" means the area |
3419 | or areas of a facility of a slot machine licensee in which slot |
3420 | machine gaming may be conducted in accordance with the |
3421 | provisions of this part |
3422 | |
3423 | |
3424 | (3) |
3425 | facility located in Miami-Dade County or Broward County existing |
3426 | at the time of adoption of s. 23, Art. X of the State |
3427 | Constitution that has conducted live racing or games during |
3428 | calendar years 2002 and 2003 and has been approved by a majority |
3429 | of voters in a countywide referendum to have slot machines at |
3430 | such facility in the respective county; any licensed pari-mutuel |
3431 | facility located within a county as defined in s. 125.011, |
3432 | provided such facility has conducted live racing or games for 2 |
3433 | consecutive calendar years immediately preceding its application |
3434 | for a slot machine license, pays the required license fee, and |
3435 | meets the other requirements of this part |
3436 | licensed pari-mutuel facility in any other county in which a |
3437 | majority of voters have approved slot machines at such |
3438 | facilities in a countywide referendum held pursuant to a |
3439 | statutory or constitutional authorization after the effective |
3440 | date of this section in the respective county, provided such |
3441 | facility has conducted a full schedule of live racing for 2 |
3442 | consecutive calendar years immediately preceding its application |
3443 | for a slot machine license, pays the required licensed fee, and |
3444 | meets the other requirements of this part |
3445 | (4) |
3446 | builds, rebuilds, fabricates, assembles, produces, programs, |
3447 | designs, or otherwise makes modifications to any slot machine or |
3448 | associated equipment for use or play of slot machines in this |
3449 | state for gaming purposes. A manufacturer may be a distributor |
3450 | within the state. |
3451 | (5) |
3452 | operating credits that cannot be redeemed for cash or any other |
3453 | thing of value by a slot machine, kiosk, or the slot machine |
3454 | licensee and that are provided free of charge to patrons. Such |
3455 | credits do not constitute "nonredeemable credits" until such |
3456 | time as they are metered as credit into a slot machine and |
3457 | recorded in the facility-based monitoring system. |
3458 | (6) |
3459 | linking slot machines in one or more licensed facilities within |
3460 | this state or other jurisdictions and offering one or more |
3461 | common progressive payouts based on the amounts wagered. |
3462 | (7) |
3463 | contrivance, terminal that may or may not be capable of |
3464 | downloading slot games from a central server system, machine, or |
3465 | other device that, upon insertion of a coin, bill, ticket, |
3466 | token, or similar object or upon payment of any consideration |
3467 | whatsoever, including the use of any electronic payment system |
3468 | except a credit card or debit card, is available to play or |
3469 | operate, the play or operation of which, whether by reason of |
3470 | skill or application of the element of chance or both, may |
3471 | deliver or entitle the person or persons playing or operating |
3472 | the contrivance, terminal, machine, or other device to receive |
3473 | cash, billets, tickets, tokens, or electronic credits to be |
3474 | exchanged for cash or to receive merchandise or anything of |
3475 | value whatsoever, whether the payoff is made automatically from |
3476 | the machine or manually. The term includes associated equipment |
3477 | necessary to conduct the operation of the contrivance, terminal, |
3478 | machine, or other device. Slot machines may use spinning reels, |
3479 | video displays, or both. A slot machine is not a "coin-operated |
3480 | amusement machine" as defined in s. 212.02(24) or an amusement |
3481 | game or machine as described in s. 849.161, and slot machines |
3482 | are not subject to the tax imposed by s. 212.05(1)(h). |
3483 | (8) |
3484 | slot machines as defined in this part |
3485 | offered for play. |
3486 | (9) |
3487 | the division authorizing a pari-mutuel permitholder to place and |
3488 | operate slot machines as provided by s. 23, Art. X of the State |
3489 | Constitution, the provisions of this part |
3490 | rules. |
3491 | (10) |
3492 | permitholder who holds a license issued by the division pursuant |
3493 | to this part |
3494 | slot machine within facilities specified in s. 23, Art. X of the |
3495 | State Constitution and allows slot machine gaming. |
3496 | (11) |
3497 | or contracted by the owner of a licensed facility to conduct |
3498 | slot machine gaming at that licensed facility. |
3499 | (12) |
3500 | cash and property, except nonredeemable credits, received by the |
3501 | slot machine licensee from the operation of slot machines less |
3502 | the amount of cash, cash equivalents, credits, and prizes paid |
3503 | to winners of slot machine gaming. |
3504 | Section 58. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) and paragraph |
3505 | (b) of subsection (4) of section 551.103, Florida Statutes, are |
3506 | amended to read: |
3507 | 551.103 Powers and duties of the division and law |
3508 | enforcement.- |
3509 | (1) The division shall adopt, pursuant to the provisions |
3510 | of ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, all rules necessary to implement, |
3511 | administer, and regulate slot machine gaming as authorized in |
3512 | this part |
3513 | (a) Procedures for applying for a slot machine license and |
3514 | renewal of a slot machine license. |
3515 | (b) Technical requirements and the qualifications |
3516 | contained in this part |
3517 | slot machine license or slot machine occupational license. |
3518 | (c) Procedures to scientifically test and technically |
3519 | evaluate slot machines for compliance with this part |
3520 | The division may contract with an independent testing laboratory |
3521 | to conduct any necessary testing under this section. The |
3522 | independent testing laboratory must have a national reputation |
3523 | which is demonstrably competent and qualified to scientifically |
3524 | test and evaluate slot machines for compliance with this part |
3525 | |
3526 | this part |
3527 | be owned or controlled by a licensee. The use of an independent |
3528 | testing laboratory for any purpose related to the conduct of |
3529 | slot machine gaming by a licensee under this part |
3530 | be made from a list of one or more laboratories approved by the |
3531 | division. |
3532 | (d) Procedures relating to slot machine revenues, |
3533 | including verifying and accounting for such revenues, auditing, |
3534 | and collecting taxes and fees consistent with this part |
3535 | (e) Procedures for regulating, managing, and auditing the |
3536 | operation, financial data, and program information relating to |
3537 | slot machine gaming that allow the division and the Department |
3538 | of Law Enforcement to audit the operation, financial data, and |
3539 | program information of a slot machine licensee, as required by |
3540 | the division or the Department of Law Enforcement, and provide |
3541 | the division and the Department of Law Enforcement with the |
3542 | ability to monitor, at any time on a real-time basis, wagering |
3543 | patterns, payouts, tax collection, and compliance with any rules |
3544 | adopted by the division for the regulation and control of slot |
3545 | machines operated under this part |
3546 | complete access, at any time on a real-time basis, shall include |
3547 | the ability of either the division or the Department of Law |
3548 | Enforcement to suspend play immediately on particular slot |
3549 | machines if monitoring of the facilities-based computer system |
3550 | indicates possible tampering or manipulation of those slot |
3551 | machines or the ability to suspend play immediately of the |
3552 | entire operation if the tampering or manipulation is of the |
3553 | computer system itself. The division shall notify the Department |
3554 | of Law Enforcement or the Department of Law Enforcement shall |
3555 | notify the division, as appropriate, whenever there is a |
3556 | suspension of play under this paragraph. The division and the |
3557 | Department of Law Enforcement shall exchange such information |
3558 | necessary for and cooperate in the investigation of the |
3559 | circumstances requiring suspension of play under this paragraph. |
3560 | (f) Procedures for requiring each licensee at his or her |
3561 | own cost and expense to supply the division with a bond having |
3562 | the penal sum of $2 million payable to the Governor and his or |
3563 | her successors in office for each year of the licensee's slot |
3564 | machine operations. Any bond shall be issued by a surety or |
3565 | sureties approved by the division and the Chief Financial |
3566 | Officer, conditioned to faithfully make the payments to the |
3567 | Chief Financial Officer in his or her capacity as treasurer of |
3568 | the division. The licensee shall be required to keep its books |
3569 | and records and make reports as provided in this part |
3570 | and to conduct its slot machine operations in conformity with |
3571 | this part |
3572 | shall be separate and distinct from the bond required in s. |
3573 | 550.125. |
3574 | (g) Procedures for requiring licensees to maintain |
3575 | specified records and submit any data, information, record, or |
3576 | report, including financial and income records, required by this |
3577 | part |
3578 | the proper implementation and enforcement of this part |
3579 | (h) A requirement that the payout percentage of a slot |
3580 | machine be no less than 85 percent. |
3581 | (i) Minimum standards for security of the facilities, |
3582 | including floor plans, security cameras, and other security |
3583 | equipment. |
3584 | (j) Procedures for requiring slot machine licensees to |
3585 | implement and establish drug-testing programs for all slot |
3586 | machine occupational licensees. |
3587 | (2) The division shall conduct such investigations |
3588 | necessary to fulfill its responsibilities under the provisions |
3589 | of this part |
3590 | (3) The Department of Law Enforcement and local law |
3591 | enforcement agencies shall have concurrent jurisdiction to |
3592 | investigate criminal violations of this part |
3593 | investigate any other criminal violation of law occurring at the |
3594 | facilities of a slot machine licensee, and such investigations |
3595 | may be conducted in conjunction with the appropriate state |
3596 | attorney. |
3597 | (4) |
3598 | (b) In addition, the division may: |
3599 | 1. Collect taxes, assessments, fees, and penalties. |
3600 | 2. Deny, revoke, suspend, or place conditions on the |
3601 | license of a person who violates any provision of this part |
3602 | |
3603 | Section 59. Subsection (1), paragraph (a) of subsection |
3604 | (4), subsections (6) and (8), and paragraph (d) of subsection |
3605 | (10) of section 551.104, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
3606 | 551.104 License to conduct slot machine gaming.- |
3607 | (1) Upon application and a finding by the division after |
3608 | investigation that the application is complete and the applicant |
3609 | is qualified and payment of the initial license fee, the |
3610 | division may issue a license to conduct slot machine gaming in |
3611 | the designated slot machine gaming area of the eligible |
3612 | facility. Once licensed, slot machine gaming may be conducted |
3613 | subject to the requirements of this part |
3614 | adopted pursuant thereto. |
3615 | (4) As a condition of licensure and to maintain continued |
3616 | authority for the conduct of slot machine gaming, the slot |
3617 | machine licensee shall: |
3618 | (a) Continue to be in compliance with this part |
3619 | (6) A slot machine licensee shall keep and maintain |
3620 | permanent daily records of its slot machine operation and shall |
3621 | maintain such records for a period of not less than 5 years. |
3622 | These records must include all financial transactions and |
3623 | contain sufficient detail to determine compliance with the |
3624 | requirements of this part |
3625 | available for audit and inspection by the division, the |
3626 | Department of Law Enforcement, or other law enforcement agencies |
3627 | during the licensee's regular business hours. |
3628 | (8) A slot machine licensee shall file with the division |
3629 | an audit of the receipt and distribution of all slot machine |
3630 | revenues provided by an independent certified public accountant |
3631 | verifying compliance with all financial and auditing provisions |
3632 | of this part |
3633 | part |
3634 | with all statutes and rules regarding all required records of |
3635 | slot machine operations. Such audit shall be filed within 60 |
3636 | days after the completion of the permitholder's pari-mutuel |
3637 | meet. |
3638 | (10) |
3639 | (d) If any provision of this subsection or its application |
3640 | to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity |
3641 | does not affect other provisions or applications of this |
3642 | subsection or part |
3643 | invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions |
3644 | of this subsection are severable. |
3645 | Section 60. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection |
3646 | (4) of section 551.106, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
3647 | 551.106 License fee; tax rate; penalties.- |
3648 | (1) LICENSE FEE.- |
3649 | (a) Upon submission of the initial application for a slot |
3650 | machine license and annually thereafter, on the anniversary date |
3651 | of the issuance of the initial license, the licensee must pay to |
3652 | the division a nonrefundable license fee of $3 million for the |
3653 | succeeding 12 months of licensure. In the 2010-2011 fiscal year, |
3654 | the licensee must pay the division a nonrefundable license fee |
3655 | of $2.5 million for the succeeding 12 months of licensure. In |
3656 | the 2011-2012 fiscal year and for every fiscal year thereafter, |
3657 | the licensee must pay the division a nonrefundable license fee |
3658 | of $2 million for the succeeding 12 months of licensure. The |
3659 | license fee shall be deposited into the Pari-mutuel Wagering |
3660 | Trust Fund |
3661 | |
3662 | Enforcement for investigations, regulation of slot machine |
3663 | gaming, and enforcement of slot machine gaming provisions under |
3664 | this part |
3665 | separately from taxes or fees paid pursuant to the provisions of |
3666 | chapter 550. |
3667 | (4) TO PAY TAX; PENALTIES.-A slot machine licensee who |
3668 | fails to make tax payments as required under this section is |
3669 | subject to an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 for each |
3670 | day the tax payment is not remitted. All administrative |
3671 | penalties imposed and collected shall be deposited into the |
3672 | Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund |
3673 | |
3674 | to pay penalties imposed by order of the division under this |
3675 | subsection, the division may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew |
3676 | the license of the slot machine licensee. |
3677 | Section 61. Subsection (1), paragraph (d) of subsection |
3678 | (4), paragraph (a) of subsection (6), and subsection (11) of |
3679 | section 551.107, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
3680 | 551.107 Slot machine occupational license; findings; |
3681 | application; fee.- |
3682 | (1) The Legislature finds that individuals and entities |
3683 | that are licensed under this section require heightened state |
3684 | scrutiny, including the submission by the individual licensees |
3685 | or persons associated with the entities described in this part |
3686 | |
3687 | (4) |
3688 | (d) The slot machine occupational license fee for initial |
3689 | application and annual renewal shall be determined by rule of |
3690 | the division but may not exceed $50 for a general or |
3691 | professional occupational license for an employee of the slot |
3692 | machine licensee or $1,000 for a business occupational license |
3693 | for nonemployees of the licensee providing goods or services to |
3694 | the slot machine licensee. License fees for general occupational |
3695 | licensees shall be paid by the slot machine licensee. Failure to |
3696 | pay the required fee constitutes grounds for disciplinary action |
3697 | by the division against the slot machine licensee, but it is not |
3698 | a violation of this part |
3699 | general occupational licensee and does not prohibit the initial |
3700 | issuance or the renewal of the general occupational license. |
3701 | (6)(a) The division may deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse |
3702 | to renew any slot machine occupational license if the applicant |
3703 | for such license or the licensee has violated the provisions of |
3704 | this part |
3705 | conduct of persons connected with slot machine gaming. In |
3706 | addition, the division may deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to |
3707 | renew any slot machine occupational license if the applicant for |
3708 | such license or the licensee has been convicted in this state, |
3709 | in any other state, or under the laws of the United States of a |
3710 | capital felony, a felony, or an offense in any other state that |
3711 | would be a felony under the laws of this state involving arson; |
3712 | trafficking in, conspiracy to traffic in, smuggling, importing, |
3713 | conspiracy to smuggle or import, or delivery, sale, or |
3714 | distribution of a controlled substance; racketeering; or a crime |
3715 | involving a lack of good moral character, or has had a gaming |
3716 | license revoked by this state or any other jurisdiction for any |
3717 | gaming-related offense. |
3718 | (11) The division may impose a civil fine of up to $5,000 |
3719 | for each violation of this part |
3720 | division in addition to or in lieu of any other penalty provided |
3721 | for in this section. The division may adopt a penalty schedule |
3722 | for violations of this part |
3723 | to this part |
3724 | a suspension and adopt rules allowing for the issuance of |
3725 | citations, including procedures to address such citations, to |
3726 | persons who violate such rules. In addition to any other penalty |
3727 | provided by law, the division may exclude from all licensed slot |
3728 | machine facilities in this state, for a period not to exceed the |
3729 | period of suspension, revocation, or ineligibility, any person |
3730 | whose occupational license application has been declared |
3731 | ineligible to hold an occupational license or whose occupational |
3732 | license has been suspended or revoked by the division. |
3733 | Section 62. Subsection (2) of section 551.108, Florida |
3734 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
3735 | 551.108 Prohibited relationships.- |
3736 | (2) A manufacturer or distributor of slot machines may not |
3737 | enter into any contract with a slot machine licensee that |
3738 | provides for any revenue sharing of any kind or nature that is |
3739 | directly or indirectly calculated on the basis of a percentage |
3740 | of slot machine revenues. Any maneuver, shift, or device whereby |
3741 | this subsection is violated is a violation of this part |
3742 | and renders any such agreement void. |
3743 | Section 63. Subsections (1), (2), and (7) of section |
3744 | 551.109, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
3745 | 551.109 Prohibited acts; penalties.- |
3746 | (1) Except as otherwise provided by law and in addition to |
3747 | any other penalty, any person who knowingly makes or causes to |
3748 | be made, or aids, assists, or procures another to make, a false |
3749 | statement in any report, disclosure, application, or any other |
3750 | document required under this part |
3751 | under this part |
3752 | civil penalty of up to $10,000. |
3753 | (2) Except as otherwise provided by law and in addition to |
3754 | any other penalty, any person who possesses a slot machine |
3755 | without the license required by this part |
3756 | possesses a slot machine at any location other than at the slot |
3757 | machine licensee's facility is subject to an administrative fine |
3758 | or civil penalty of up to $10,000 per machine. The prohibition |
3759 | in this subsection does not apply to: |
3760 | (a) Slot machine manufacturers or slot machine |
3761 | distributors that hold appropriate licenses issued by the |
3762 | division who are authorized to maintain a slot machine storage |
3763 | and maintenance facility at any location in a county in which |
3764 | slot machine gaming is authorized by this part |
3765 | division may adopt rules regarding security and access to the |
3766 | storage facility and inspections by the division. |
3767 | (b) Certified educational facilities that are authorized |
3768 | to maintain slot machines for the sole purpose of education and |
3769 | licensure, if any, of slot machine technicians, inspectors, or |
3770 | investigators. The division and the Department of Law |
3771 | Enforcement may possess slot machines for training and testing |
3772 | purposes. The division may adopt rules regarding the regulation |
3773 | of any such slot machines used for educational, training, or |
3774 | testing purposes. |
3775 | (7) All penalties imposed and collected under this section |
3776 | must be deposited into the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund |
3777 | |
3778 | Section 64. Section 551.111, Florida Statutes, is amended |
3779 | to read: |
3780 | 551.111 Legal devices.-Notwithstanding any provision of |
3781 | law to the contrary, a slot machine manufactured, sold, |
3782 | distributed, possessed, or operated according to the provisions |
3783 | of this part |
3784 | Section 65. Section 551.112, Florida Statutes, is amended |
3785 | to read: |
3786 | 551.112 Exclusions of certain persons.-In addition to the |
3787 | power to exclude certain persons from any facility of a slot |
3788 | machine licensee in this state, the division may exclude any |
3789 | person from any facility of a slot machine licensee in this |
3790 | state for conduct that would constitute, if the person were a |
3791 | licensee, a violation of this part |
3792 | division. The division may exclude from any facility of a slot |
3793 | machine licensee any person who has been ejected from a facility |
3794 | of a slot machine licensee in this state or who has been |
3795 | excluded from any facility of a slot machine licensee or gaming |
3796 | facility in another state by the governmental department, |
3797 | agency, commission, or authority exercising regulatory |
3798 | jurisdiction over the gaming in such other state. This section |
3799 | does not abrogate the common law right of a slot machine |
3800 | licensee to exclude a patron absolutely in this state. |
3801 | Section 66. Section 551.117, Florida Statutes, is amended |
3802 | to read: |
3803 | 551.117 Penalties.-The division may revoke or suspend any |
3804 | slot machine license issued under this part |
3805 | willful violation by the slot machine licensee of any provision |
3806 | of this part |
3807 | |
3808 | license, the division may impose a civil penalty against the |
3809 | slot machine licensee for a violation of this part |
3810 | any rule adopted by the division. Except as otherwise provided |
3811 | in this part |
3812 | $100,000 for each count or separate offense. All penalties |
3813 | imposed and collected must be deposited into the Pari-mutuel |
3814 | Wagering Trust Fund |
3815 | |
3816 | Section 67. Section 551.119, Florida Statutes, is amended |
3817 | to read: |
3818 | 551.119 Caterer's license.-A slot machine licensee is |
3819 | entitled to a caterer's license pursuant to s. 565.02 on days on |
3820 | which the pari-mutuel facility is open to the public for slot |
3821 | machine game play as authorized by this part |
3822 | Section 68. Section 551.122, Florida Statutes, is amended |
3823 | to read: |
3824 | 551.122 Rulemaking.-The division may adopt rules pursuant |
3825 | to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer the provisions of |
3826 | this part |
3827 | Section 69. Section 551.123, Florida Statutes, is amended |
3828 | to read: |
3829 | 551.123 Legislative authority; administration of part |
3830 | |
3831 | exclusive authority over the conduct of all wagering occurring |
3832 | at a slot machine facility in this state. As provided by law, |
3833 | only the division |
3834 | state agencies shall administer this part |
3835 | the slot machine gaming industry, including operation of slot |
3836 | machine facilities, games, slot machines, and facilities-based |
3837 | computer systems authorized in this part |
3838 | adopted by the division. |
3839 | Section 70. Subsection (5) of section 565.02, Florida |
3840 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
3841 | 565.02 License fees; vendors; clubs; caterers; and |
3842 | others.- |
3843 | (5) A caterer at a horse or dog racetrack or jai alai |
3844 | fronton may obtain a license upon the payment of an annual state |
3845 | license tax of $675. Such caterer's license shall permit sales |
3846 | only within the enclosure in which such races or jai alai games |
3847 | are conducted, and such licensee shall be permitted to sell only |
3848 | during the period beginning 10 days before and ending 10 days |
3849 | after racing or jai alai under the authority of the Division of |
3850 | Licensure |
3851 | Control |
3852 | such racetrack or jai alai fronton. Except as in this subsection |
3853 | otherwise provided, caterers licensed hereunder shall be treated |
3854 | as vendors licensed to sell by the drink the beverages mentioned |
3855 | herein and shall be subject to all the provisions hereof |
3856 | relating to such vendors. |
3857 | Section 71. Section 817.37, Florida Statutes, is amended |
3858 | to read: |
3859 | 817.37 Touting; defining; providing punishment; ejection |
3860 | from racetracks.- |
3861 | (1) Any person who knowingly and designedly by false |
3862 | representation attempts to, or does persuade, procure or cause |
3863 | another person to wager on a horse in a race to be run in this |
3864 | state or elsewhere, and upon which money is wagered in this |
3865 | state, and who asks or demands compensation as a reward for |
3866 | information or purported information given in such case is a |
3867 | tout, and is guilty of touting. |
3868 | (2) Any person who is a tout, or who attempts or conspires |
3869 | to commit touting, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the |
3870 | second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. |
3871 | 775.083. |
3872 | (3) Any person who in the commission of touting falsely |
3873 | uses the name of any official of the |
3874 | Licensure of the Department of Gaming Control |
3875 | |
3876 | racetrack association, or the names of any owner, trainer, |
3877 | jockey, or other person licensed by the |
3878 | Licensure of the Department of Gaming Control |
3879 | |
3880 | information shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, |
3881 | punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. |
3882 | (4) Any person who has been convicted of touting by any |
3883 | court, and the record of whose conviction on such charge is on |
3884 | file in the office of the |
3885 | Department of Gaming Control |
3886 | this state, or of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or any |
3887 | person who has been ejected from any racetrack of this or any |
3888 | other state for touting or practices inimical to the public |
3889 | interest shall be excluded from all racetracks in this state and |
3890 | if such person returns to a racetrack he or she shall be guilty |
3891 | of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in |
3892 | s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Any such person who refuses to leave |
3893 | such track when ordered to do so by inspectors of the |
3894 | Division of Licensure of the Department of Gaming Control |
3895 | |
3896 | attaché |
3897 | a separate offense which shall be a misdemeanor of the second |
3898 | degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083. |
3899 | Section 72. Paragraph (g) of subsection (2) and |
3900 | subsections (4) and (16) of section 849.086, Florida Statutes, |
3901 | are amended to read: |
3902 | 849.086 Cardrooms authorized.- |
3903 | (2) DEFINITIONS.-As used in this section: |
3904 | (g) "Division" means the Division of Licensure |
3905 | |
3906 | |
3907 | (4) AUTHORITY OF DIVISION.-The division |
3908 | |
3909 | |
3910 | operation of cardrooms under this section and the rules adopted |
3911 | pursuant thereto, and is hereby authorized to: |
3912 | (a) Adopt rules, including, but not limited to: the |
3913 | issuance of cardroom and employee licenses for cardroom |
3914 | operations; the operation of a cardroom; recordkeeping and |
3915 | reporting requirements; and the collection of all fees and taxes |
3916 | imposed by this section. |
3917 | (b) Conduct investigations and monitor the operation of |
3918 | cardrooms and the playing of authorized games therein. |
3919 | (c) Review the books, accounts, and records of any current |
3920 | or former cardroom operator. |
3921 | (d) Suspend or revoke any license or permit, after |
3922 | hearing, for any violation of the provisions of this section or |
3923 | the administrative rules adopted pursuant thereto. |
3924 | (e) Take testimony, issue summons and subpoenas for any |
3925 | witness, and issue subpoenas duces tecum in connection with any |
3926 | matter within its jurisdiction. |
3927 | (f) Monitor and ensure the proper collection of taxes and |
3928 | fees imposed by this section. Permitholder internal controls are |
3929 | mandated to ensure no compromise of state funds. To that end, a |
3930 | roaming division auditor will monitor and verify the cash flow |
3931 | and accounting of cardroom revenue for any given operating day. |
3932 | (16) LOCAL GOVERNMENT APPROVAL.-The division may |
3933 | |
3934 | section except upon proof in such form as the division may |
3935 | prescribe that the local government where the applicant for such |
3936 | license desires to conduct cardroom gaming has voted to approve |
3937 | such activity by a majority vote of the governing body of the |
3938 | municipality or the governing body of the county if the facility |
3939 | is not located in a municipality. |
3940 | Section 73. Subsection (10) of section 849.094, Florida |
3941 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
3942 | 849.094 Game promotion in connection with sale of consumer |
3943 | products or services.- |
3944 | (10) This section does not apply to actions or |
3945 | transactions regulated by the Department of Gaming Control |
3946 | |
3947 | nonprofit organizations or to any other organization engaged in |
3948 | any enterprise other than the sale of consumer products or |
3949 | services. Subsections (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) and paragraph |
3950 | (8)(a) and any of the rules made pursuant thereto do not apply |
3951 | to television or radio broadcasting companies licensed by the |
3952 | Federal Communications Commission. |
3953 | Section 74. If any provision of this act or its |
3954 | application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the |
3955 | invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of |
3956 | this act which can be given effect without the invalid provision |
3957 | or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are |
3958 | severable. |
3959 | Section 75. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this |
3960 | act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2012. |
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